Content providers have dim view of tech vendors’ security attitudes - DPP research

The research project analyses the current state of IT security within the media industry, revealing vastly different attitudes to cyber protection among content providers and vendors.

While media and broadcast organisations take a cautious approach when assessing their own protection and defensive capabilities, technology providers believe they have secure systems, products, policies and vigilant staff — something the content providers find hard to believe.

“The State of Media Technology Security 2024 reveals a striking divide in how media companies and their technology partners approach cyber security,” said DPP Editorial Director Edward Qualtrough, the research lead and report author.

“Broadcasters are cautious and wary of labelling themselves as ‘secure’; they know in every area of their business and in each media technology workflow from production to distribution there is more that can be done to improve security. Meanwhile vendors are more likely to take an incredibly optimistic — and perhaps somewhat naive — view of their responsibilities in an increasingly connected ecosystem, and of their capability to respond to the growing threat landscape.”

The research also revealed how media industry tech transformation initiatives have not necessarily led to better security. Many content providers believe product innovations among their supplier base have added complexity and vulnerabilities to existing media business operations.

However, vendors believe their products have made the industry more secure in all areas, and think that broadcasters are rarely willing to sacrifice new features in a media tech product in order to improve its security.

The State of Media Technology Security 2024 is supported by Lead sponsor and DPP member company Ross Video.

The DPP conducted an industry survey to produce The State of Media Technology Security 2024, and 59 organisations took part. Respondents were Chief Information Security Officers and product security leaders at some of the biggest organisations in media and broadcasting, and from key technology providers.

The DPP will be presenting and discussing key findings with contributors at the DPP Espresso Summit on Friday 13 September at IBC in Amsterdam.