ONVIF Announces First Add-On for Secure Communications
TLS Configuration and other add-ons extend ONVIF conformance to product features that address a specific use case or end-user need.
SAN RAMON, Calif. – IP-based physical security global standardization group ONVIF has introduced the TLS Configuration Add-on (Release Candidate) for secure communications between devices and clients.
TLS Configuration is the first in a new category of ONVIF add-ons, which are specifications that extend ONVIF conformance to product features that address a specific use case or end-user need, according to the group’s announcement.
Add-ons “enhance the ONVIF profile model by enabling conformance to additional features and capabilities not already included in ONVIF profiles,” the announcement says.
Profiles are permanent, fixed sets of features that enable a functional product to be developed solely on the profile. In contrast, add-ons are easily adaptable to evolving technology/specification requirements and support version handling to accommodate new technology additions or updates.
“The TLS Configuration Add-on Release Candidate is a great case for an add-on,” said Leo Levit, Chairman, ONVIF Steering Committee, in the announcement. “It enables ONVIF conformance in a crucial area of security: secure communications between devices and clients.
“TLS and other cybersecurity specifications must constantly be kept up to date, and the add-on concept enables those critical adjustments to be made within the confines of the ONVIF conformance process,” he says.
What the ONVIF Add-On Means for Security Space
The draft add-on supports configuration for Transport Layer Security encryption, enabling a conformant video management system to initially configure or update TLS settings in a conformant device to support encrypted communications between the device and client.
The add-on concept enhances the ability of ONVIF to respond to the needs of the market more quickly with increased interoperability and flexibility of choice for end users and systems integrators. Add-ons are also complementary to the ONVIF profile process, as products must also conform to an ONVIF profile before claiming conformance to an add-on.
Founded in 2008, ONVIF is a security industry forum driving interoperability for IP-based physical security products. It has a global member base of camera, video management system and access control companies and more than 25,000 profile-conformant products.
ONVIF offers Profile S for streaming video; Profile G for video recording and storage; Profile C for physical access control; Profile A for broader access control configuration; Profile T for advanced video streaming; Profile M for metadata and events for analytics applications and Profile D for access control peripherals.
The group is working with its members to continue to expand the number of IP interoperability solutions ONVIF-conformant products can provide.
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