Top 5 Features in Secure Video SDK for Developers

Video conferencing has become a modern necessity, but its swift rise came with a nasty surprise: security flaws. Hackers infiltrated meetings, spreading chaos and sharing offensive content. The lax security practices in these tools left users vulnerable, underscoring the need for robust security measures.

In most cases, however, the real culprits were the hidden vulnerabilities and security loopholes in the SDKs that powered these tools.

Hence when selecting a Secure video SDK for developers’ applications, it’s critical to evaluate the security aspects of the video SDK. And, we’re here to simplify the process. In this article, we’ve outlined the key features to look for in a secure video SDK, which will assist you in making the right choice.

Essential Security Features to Consider When Choosing a Video SDK

Earlier this year, a security breach involving a popular video conferencing tool made headlines. In March, an audio recording of a German military meeting held on the platform was leaked. It was later discovered that an IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference) vulnerability had been exploited to obtain sensitive meeting information and metadata from German government meetings.

This vulnerability allowed attackers unauthorized access to meeting links, enabling them to eavesdrop on high-level government discussions. Needless to say, such eavesdropping must be avoided at all costs, calling for stringent threat and vulnerability management.

Therefore, when selecting an SDK, it’s crucial to look for  threat and vulnerability management by the SDK provider besides other security features listed below:

• Compliance with industry-specific regulations
• User authentication and encryption
• Spoof prevention
• Threat and vulnerability management
• Access control and physical storage

#1. Compliance with Industry-specific Regulations

Every industry has unique compliance standards based on the users they protect and the specific risks they manage. When selecting a secure video SDK for your developers’ application, ensuring compliance with industry-specific regulations is crucial to avoid legal repercussions. Below listed are some of the major regulations for the following industries:

• Healthcare: Compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to protect patient health information.
• Finance: PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2), PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), and SOC-2 standards to safeguard financial data.
• Education: Compliance with FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) and COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) to protect student information.
• Retail: Compliance with PCI DSS and SOC 2 to protect customer payment data.

In addition to the above, complying with GDPR(General Data Protection Regulation) is essential if the application processes data from European Union citizens. Developers should also ensure the video SDK meets the data privacy frameworks of the country where the application will be used.

Moreover, checking if the company offering the SDK is SOC-2 compliant is beneficial. Compliance with SOC-2 ensures that an organization maintains robust information security practices and the highest level of information security. It also ensures secure management of client information and compliance with privacy regulations.

Integrating an SDK that is compliant with industry-specific regulations builds app users’ trust by demonstrating a commitment to data privacy and security.

#2. User Authentication and Encryption

Weak user authentication and inadequate encryption can leave video communications vulnerable to unauthorized access and data breaches. It is particularly crucial in industries that handle sensitive information, such as healthcare and finance.

When selecting a video SDK, evaluating how the service provider manages user authentication and encryption is essential. Here are some key features to consider:

User Authentication

Robust security measures are essential to prevent unauthorized access to video chats. Here are some authentication mechanisms to check in a video SDK service provider.

• Secure Login Process: Ensures encryption methods such as TLS/SSL(Transport Layer Security/Secure Socket Layer) are used to protect login credentials from eavesdropping. Banks use these encryption methods to protect customers’ financial data.
• HTTPS Delivery: Ensures all communications are encrypted, adding an extra layer of security and protection against man-in-the-middle attacks on open networks.
• Password Protection: Features should include secure password policies, password encryption, account lockout mechanisms, and secure transmission channels to safeguard passwords.
• Multi-Factor Authentication: Offers an additional layer of protection during login. The authentication measures include using SMS codes, authenticator apps, and biometric verification.

End-to-End Encryption

While most providers offer end-to-end encryption, it’s important to assess their implementation. It is a good idea to opt for SDKs that employ AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption, the gold standard for encrypting electronic data.

AES encryption necessitates a special key to access the transmitted video. This key is only available on authorized devices, preventing interception. This method ensures that communications remain private and accessible only to the intended recipients.

Robust user authentication and encryption measures enhance data security while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of communication.

#3. Spoof Prevention

Spoofing attacks are increasingly prevalent, with hundreds reported each month. Spoofing involves attackers masquerading as legitimate users or endpoints, leading to potential breaches. For example, earlier this year, a finance employee at a multinational firm in Hong Kong was deceived into transferring $25 million to fraudsters who used deepfake technology to impersonate the company’s CFO and other key personnel during a video conference call.

As cybercriminals refine their techniques, the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches grows significantly.

To mitigate such risks, ensure the Secure video SDK for developers has robust spoofing prevention measures such as unique identifiers for servers and client-side unique tokens for endpoint authentication. These features are essential for verifying and authorizing each component within the video communication network.

By adopting spoofing prevention strategies, developers can ensure that only authorized users and devices engage in video communications, enhancing overall security.

#4. Threat and Vulnerability Management

Various video conferencing tools have been targeted in recent years due to their hidden vulnerabilities and security flaws. Incidents like session hijacking, man-in-the-middle attacks, unauthorized access, and eavesdropping underscore the need for robust security measures.

When selecting a video communication SDK, it’s crucial to choose a provider that implements stringent security protocols during SDK development and maintains a comprehensive threat and vulnerability management program. This is essential to safeguard your application users from potential risks.

This comprehensive threat and vulnerability management program should include regular vulnerability scans, code reviews, and timely security patches. Additionally, continuous use of third-party security assessment tools can help monitor and address vulnerabilities in third-party software.

This proactive approach ensures the security and integrity of your video communication application, protecting it from exploitation.

#5. Access Control and Physical Storage Security

Inadequate access control and insufficient physical storage security can lead to unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Both digital and physical security measures are essential for safeguarding sensitive information.

When selecting a video SDK, opting for one with robust, granular access control mechanisms enhances digital privacy and security. These features allow administrators to precisely manage who can initiate, join, or access video chats, ensuring greater control and protection.

Physical security is equally critical. Data stored on servers and in data centers must be protected against breaches and theft. Providers should implement stringent physical security measures, including biometric locks, 24/7 on-site security personnel, and secure loading docks.

A comprehensive security approach, addressing access control and physical storage, ensures that sensitive data remains protected and enhances the system’s overall security.

What Sets Enghouse Video SDK Apart in Terms of Security?

Enghouse Video’s Video SDK stands out in the realm of security by incorporating comprehensive measures across various aspects, ensuring robust protection for its users.

Some of its top features include:

• Regulatory Compliance: Adheres to major industry-specific regulatory standards.
• Spoof Prevention: Implements advanced measures to prevent spoofing attacks.
• Encryption and Authentication: Utilizes AES-256 encryption for data in transit and at rest, supports multi-factor authentication (MFA), and offers secure API access through OAuth 2.0.
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Ensures access is restricted based on user roles.
• Secure Video Playback: Employs encryption and token-based access for secure video playback.
• Granular Access Control: Provides detailed access management capabilities.

For threat and vulnerability management, Enghouse adopts a proactive approach with:

• Security Council: Monitors vulnerabilities in third-party software used in Enghouse Video’s SDKs.
• Regular Code Reviews: Identifies and addresses vulnerabilities through continuous code reviews.
• Timely Security Patches: Ensures timely release of patches.
• Threat Management Program: Responds to security breaches in third-party libraries.

With secure video SDK for developers, you don’t have to choose between advanced features and enhanced security. Enghouse’s Video SDK not only includes the comprehensive security features mentioned earlier but also delivers outstanding performance with high-quality audio and video in 4K and 5K resolution. It offers cross-platform compatibility across multiple popular platforms and ensures low-latency streaming.

These robust security measures and exceptional performance make Enghouse’s Video SDK a superior choice for your video communication needs.

To see Enghouse Video’s Video SDK in action jump to the online demo. Moreover, Video SDK allows you to embed real-time video communication in your apps with just a few lines of code. Try our sample project on Stackblitz or clone it directly from our GitHub page and start integrating today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What features should you look for in a video SDK?
   A top video SDK should offer high-quality audio and video in 4K and 5K, cross-platform compatibility, and low-latency streaming. It must also incorporate robust security features to safeguard against attacks. You can read all about the top features of a great video SDK here.
2. What security features should a video SDK have?
   Essential security features include compliance with industry regulations, robust user authentication and encryption, spoof prevention, proactive threat and vulnerability management, and strong access control and physical security.
3. What physical security measures does Enghouse implement?
   Enghouse ensures physical security with 24/7 on-site personnel, fingerprint biometric locks, mantraps with weight sensors, 90-day video monitoring, recorded access logs, and password-protected access.
4. What is Enghouse Video’s strategy for handling security breaches?
   Enghouse’s strategy focuses on promptly assessing the impact and severity of the vulnerability. Depending on the situation, they may issue a security bulletin with mitigation steps or release a security update to patch the issue. Enghouse also prioritizes proactive monitoring and collaboration with third-party security experts to prevent potential threats. For a deeper understanding of our comprehensive approach, explore our whitepaper here.

• What features are offered by Enghouse Video’s Video SDK?

Enghouse Video’s secure video SDK for developers delivers 4K video quality and wideband audio, supporting scalable multi-party calls. It features voice-activated layouts to highlight active speakers and customizable layouts. Adaptive video layering technology, utilizing Scalable Video Coding (SVC) and Simulcast, ensures optimal performance by adjusting to available bandwidth and device capabilities. Additionally, the SDK includes firewall traversal for seamless connectivity.

For additional guidance in your Video SDK selection process, check out our resource “10 Most Common Questions about Video SDKs”.