Why digital rights management is now a necessity
How do you know that your sensitive information is protected against unauthorised access, sharing, and editing. With the increasing complexity of digital environments, and the ever-evolving threat of data breaches, ensuring robust protection for sensitive information is an ongoing challenge. Digital rights management (DRM) may just be the answer.
From implementing stringent access controls and encryption protocols to continuously monitoring and updating security measures, DRM tools play a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive data, no matter the industry.
Below, we set out to explore just how important DRM is for any enterprise handling sensitive data in 2024, how DRM has evolved to keep pace with new file-sharing techniques, and the unique advantages offered by advanced DRM tools.
Avoid These 4 DRM Stumbling Blocks to Protect Your IP
How has digital rights management evolved?
Digital rights management encompasses a range of technologies designed to control the use, distribution, and access of sensitive digital content.
Traditionally, DRM methods were relatively simple, aimed primarily at preventing unauthorised copying of software and digital content – be it emails, audio, video, or other formats. However, as digital content became more varied and complex in format over time, DRM technologies had to adapt.
From its early days of rudimentary copy protection mechanisms, DRM has evolved into sophisticated systems capable of enforcing complex rights and restrictions across multiple networks and platforms simultaneously.
Today, advanced DRM solutions can manage user access at granular levels, support multiple platforms, and enable editable file access without relinquishing source control.
Why is DRM important?
DRM tools have a wide range of benefits that make them invaluable for any business sharing sensitive information. Seven of the biggest reasons to use DRM tools are for:
- Protecting sensitive data
- Enabling regulatory compliance
- Preventing IP theft
- Mitigating data risks
- Ensuring data integrity
- Protecting customer trust
Learn more about these below…
1: Protecting sensitive data
Institutions commonly deal with highly sensitive data such as customer financial information, account details, transaction records, and personal identification information. Allow unauthorised access to this sensitive data, and expect to incur severe fines.
DRM ensures that this data is protected from unauthorised access, copying, or distribution by incorporating a wide range of techniques that include access limitations, end-to-end email encryption, and dynamic watermarking. With the right DRM tools in place, data owners can maintain control of their files and place the necessary restrictions in place such as restricting downloads, even when collaborating with others.
In our recent guide, we dive into further detail about how to protect your content with DRM.
2: Enabling compliance with regulations
Across a wide range of sectors, regulations are aiming to safeguard sensitive information. For an example, turn to the finance sector. Financial institutions are subject to strict regulations regarding data security and privacy, including the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union.
DRM helps these institutions comply with such regulations by providing mechanisms to control access to sensitive information and prevent data breaches.
3: Preventing IP theft
Financial institutions often develop proprietary software, algorithms, and financial models that are critical to their operations.
DRM safeguards these intellectual assets by preventing unauthorised users from accessing or replicating them and ensuring that only authorised personnel can gain access.
This comprehensive control over intellectual property not only secures an institution’s innovations but also helps to protect consumer data in accordance with regulation.
4: Mitigating a wide range of risks
Unauthorised access to sensitive financial data can lead to various risks, including financial loss, reputational damage, and legal liabilities. DRM helps mitigate these risks by implementing encryption, access controls, and other security measures to safeguard digital assets.
5: Ensuring data integrity
DRM technologies often include features for ensuring the integrity of digital assets, such as digital signatures and watermarking. These features help financial institutions verify the authenticity and integrity of data and detect any unauthorised modifications or tampering attempts.
6: Protecting customer trust
Maintaining customer trust is paramount for any service-based enterprise, be it finance, cybersecurity, content creation, and more. By implementing robust DRM measures, these institutions can authentically demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data and confidentiality.
DRM and the need to balance security and usability
One of the ongoing challenges in DRM is finding the right balance between security and usability. Overly restrictive DRM measures can frustrate legitimate users, leading to a poor user experience.
Achieving this balance requires ongoing innovation and a deep understanding of user behaviour.
User-friendly authentication methods such as single sign-on (SSO) and biometric verification can enhance security without adding unnecessary friction with complex sign-in processes. Adaptive DRM systems can also adjust protection levels based on the context in which it’s being used, providing a more flexible and user-centric approach.
That’s why the best DRM solutions are those that offer robust protection while remaining unobtrusive to the end-user. They should provide seamless access to content for authorised users while effectively preventing misuse.
Learn more about how our sophisticated DRM tool, Kiteworks SafeEDIT, combines uncompromising security with a seamless user experience.
What does the future of DRM hold?
Looking to the future, DRM is set to become more indispensable, and more capable, as digital content continues to expand.
Emerging technologies offer promising advancements in DRM, providing transparent and tamper-proof records of content usage.
Blockchain technology, for example, holds the potential to create immutable records of content ownership and transactions, making it easier to track and verify the use of digital assets. This can significantly reduce the risk of fraud and unauthorised distribution.
What’s more, AI and machine learning integrations can analyse usage patterns and detect any anomalies that might represent a potential vulnerability or risk, helping to identify and prevent possible security breaches proactively.
No matter the technical capabilities, the future of DRM is certain to continue facilitating greater collaboration between content providers, technology developers, and regulatory bodies.
By working together, stakeholders can develop the standards that ensure the effectiveness and interoperability of DRM systems, without limiting the experience of creating, sharing, and accessing digital content.
Unlock unparalleled control of your digital content with Kiteworks SafeEDIT
Bid farewell to outdated DRM solutions and welcome a new era of next-generation protection with Kiteworks’ SafeEDIT. Our innovative DRM solution redefines security by enabling external editable file access while maintaining source control within the owner’s environment.
Trusted by organisations like Shell, Porsche, and Ebay, Kiteworks ensures the protection of digital content, facilitates collaboration without compromising security, and provides full visibility and control over your sensitive content with detailed audit logs and reports.
Ready to experience the future of DRM? Book a free demo of Kiteworks SafeEDIT today.
FAQs
DRM has evolved from simple copy protection mechanisms to sophisticated systems capable of enforcing complex rights and restrictions across multiple networks and platforms. Now, modern DRM solutions can manage granular user access, support multiple platforms, and allow editable file access without relinquishing source control.
DRM employs techniques such as access controls, encryption, and dynamic watermarking, ensuring that unauthorised access, copying, or distribution of sensitive information is prevented, thus maintaining control and security over digital assets.
DRM tools like Kiteworks SafeEDIT aids regulatory compliance by providing mechanisms to control access to sensitive information and prevent data breaches. For sectors like finance, where institutions must comply with regulations such as DORA and GDPR, this is crucial.
DRM helps prevent IP theft by safeguarding proprietary software, algorithms, and financial models from unauthorised access and replication. This comprehensive control over intellectual property ensures that only authorised personnel can access these critical assets, thus protecting innovations and consumer data.
Balancing security and usability in DRM involves using user-friendly authentication methods like single sign-on (SSO) and biometric verification, and adaptive DRM systems that adjust protection levels based on context. The best DRM solutions provide robust protection while remaining unobtrusive, offering seamless access for authorised users and effectively preventing misuse.
Additional Resources
- Blog Post 4 Biggest Digital Rights Management Stumbling Blocks
- Blog Post DRM 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Protecting Your Business With Digital Rights Management
- Blog Post Top 5 Requirements for an Effective DRM Solution
- Blog Post Digital Rights Management Strategies for Regulatory Compliance
- Blog Post Does DRM Actually Work?