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DW Spectrum - Server Archive Encryption

Updated

DW Spectrum Server Archive Encryption

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Affected Roles:  Owner, Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps:  DW Spectrum IPVMS

Last Edit:  February 9, 2024

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Archive Encryption

By implementing the Archive Encryption feature of DW Spectrum, security of the Server application is enhanced by ensuring that video archive files are encrypted while being stored in the storage volume. This protective measure prevents unauthorized access and ensures that video archives remain exclusively accessible within the confines of the DW Spectrum System.

 

How does Archive Encryption Work?

When Archive Encryption is enabled, the video archive of the Server is encrypted by the AES-128-CTR algorithm, while the archive encryption password is encrypted by SHA-256 in the database.

Even if storage is somehow accessed by a third party and video files are stolen, the intruder would be unable to view the footage successfully. Encrypted video files opened outside of the DW Spectrum environment, using any media player, cannot be viewed. The only content that will show will appear like the image below.

 

Enabling Archive Encryption

To enable Archive Encryption:

  1. Open the System Administration (CTRL+ALT+A) menu and navigate to the Security tab.
  2. Enable the Archive Encryption toggle.
  3. You will be prompted to create an encryption password. The encryption password will be required when an attempt is made to restore the archive on another system.

 

**IMPORTANT!  The encryption password cannot be reset, so keep a record of it somewhere safe. If the password is lost or forgotten, the archive will be unrecoverable.

 

  1. Click the OK button to save the changes.

 

Using DW Spectrum with an Encrypted Archive

Archive encryption is a system-wide function so that all users can access and play video archives as previously. There is no tangible difference while interacting with footage in DW Spectrum after enabling Archive Encryption.

Administrators can change the password or turn off the Archive Encryption at any time. Archive Encryption will only affect newly recorded archive files. Video files that existed prior to activating Archive Encryption will not be impacted by the new setting and will remain unencrypted. If this feature was enabled, disabled, then enabled again, only the files that were created while the feature was enabled will remain encrypted by the previous password.

Users do not need to know the encrypted password to access the video archive through the DW Spectrum Client or DW Spectrum Mobile. The server will save all encryption passwords and select the correct password to decrypt the archive when viewing. The DW Spectrum Server will ask for the encryption password if the encrypted video archive is restored or is moved to the storage volume of another server.

 

 

 

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For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

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Rev: 06/25                              Copyright © DW. All rights reserved. Specifications and pricing subject to change without notice.                            

 

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