Security in DVB‐RCS2

SUMMARY This paper presents security features in the second generation digital video broadcasting with return channel via satellite standard (DVB‐RCS2). The up‐front consideration of security, and in particular transmission security (TRANSEC), started with the development of security requirements introduced in the DVB‐RCS Next Generation (NG) Commercial Requirements and Call for Technologies. It was apparent at an early stage that no single approach or implementation would satisfy the wide range of product and security requirements to span consumer, professional and government market sectors. This led to the introduction and development of two important concepts: TRANSEC profiles, a specialization of DVB‐RCS2 system level profiles concept; and TRANSEC ‘hooks’, extension points that allow TRANSEC functionality to be added as necessary, governed by profile security requirements. The bulk of this paper outlines and describes the three TRANSEC profiles presented in the DVB‐RCS2 Lower Layer Guidelines document. Finally, the various profiles are compared and contrasted.