Streaming platform technologies encompass the software and infrastructure that deliver audio, video, or other multimedia content over the Internet in real-time or on demand. These platforms typically include features like:

• Content Encoding and Transcoding: Converting content into suitable formats for efficient streaming over the internet.

• Content Delivery Network (CDN): This system distributes content across multiple servers for faster and more reliable delivery to users worldwide.   

• Playback and Player: Providing user interfaces (players) for viewing or listening to streamed content.

• Security and Digital Rights Management (DRM): Protecting content from unauthorized access and piracy.

• Analytics and Monetization: Gathering data on user behavior and enabling monetization through advertising or subscriptions.

Importance of Knowing If Your Organization Uses These Technologies:

Organizations need to know whether streaming platform technologies are being used within their infrastructure, both sanctioned and unsanctioned, especially from a cybersecurity perspective. Here's why:

• Data Privacy and Security: Streaming platforms collect and process user data, including personal information and viewing habits. Organizations must ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). Unsanctioned use can lead to non-compliance and potential data breaches.   

• Security Vulnerabilities: Streaming platforms, especially cloud-based solutions, can have vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. These vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user data, disruption of streaming services, or malicious content injection.   

• Piracy and Copyright Infringement: Organizations using streaming platforms must ensure they have the rights to distribute copyrighted content. Unsanctioned use of copyrighted material can lead to legal consequences.   

• Brand Reputation: Issues with streaming quality, security breaches, or unauthorized content can negatively impact an organization's brand reputation.

Beam (Mixer) and Cybersecurity Concerns:

Beam (formerly Mixer), acquired and shut down by Microsoft, was a live-streaming platform focused on video games. Although it is no longer active, the cybersecurity concerns it faced highlight potential risks for similar platforms:   

• Account Takeovers: Hackers could attempt to gain unauthorized access to user accounts to disrupt streams or spread malicious content.

• DDoS Attacks: Live streaming platforms are susceptible to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which can overwhelm servers and disrupt streaming services.   

• Content Moderation: Platforms must effectively moderate content to prevent the spread of harmful or inappropriate material.

ThreatNG: Identifying and Managing Risks from Streaming Platform Technologies

ThreatNG can be crucial in identifying and mitigating the risks associated with streaming platform technologies.

• External Attack Surface Management (EASM): ThreatNG continuously scans the internet to discover all externally visible digital assets associated with your organization. This includes identifying any streaming platforms your organization or its partners use. ThreatNG can help assess the security posture of these platforms and identify potential vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.

• Digital Risk Protection (DRP): ThreatNG monitors the dark web, social media, and other online channels for mentions of your organization, brands, or sensitive data. This includes detecting leaked credentials related to streaming platforms or discussing potential exploits.   

• Security Ratings: ThreatNG provides a comprehensive risk score based on an analysis of your organization's external attack surface and digital risk profile. This score includes an assessment of the risks associated with your organization's use of streaming platforms.

Example Workflow with Complementary Solutions:

1. ThreatNG Discovery: ThreatNG identifies an unauthorized streaming channel on a platform like Twitch that is impersonating your brand.

2. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Integration: ThreatNG sends an alert to your SIEM platform, triggering an incident response workflow.

3. Social Media Monitoring/Management Tool Integration: ThreatNG alerts your social media management tool, enabling you to quickly report the impersonating channel to the platform and take action to mitigate the damage.

Overall Benefits:

By implementing ThreatNG, organizations can:

• Gain Visibility: Discover all instances of streaming platform technologies used by your organization and partners.

• Mitigate Risks: Identify and address security vulnerabilities, account takeovers, DDoS attacks, and unauthorized content.

• Protect Brand Reputation: Ensure your organization's presence on streaming platforms is controlled and aligned with your brand values.

• Enhance Security: Continuously monitor and improve the security posture of your streaming platforms.

Ensure Compliance: Comply with data protection regulations and internal policies regarding the use of streaming platforms.