#USA #San Ramon #ONVIF #C2PA #Content Credentials

ONVIF and C2PA Collaborate for Video Authentication

In a significant move to safeguard the integrity of digital video, ONVIF® has announced a strategic partnership with the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). This collaboration aims to combat the growing concerns around content manipulation presented by synthetic media, deepfakes, and AI-generated visuals.

In an era where distinguishing between authentic and fabricated video content is increasingly challenging, this partnership is a response to the urgent need for verification standards across digital platforms. ONVIF and C2PA will work hand in hand to promote the use of open standards that can validate video authenticity, thereby enhancing trust in various sectors that rely on visual content for law enforcement, security, and media.

Importance of Video Integrity

The rise of technologies capable of creating deceptively realistic content poses a serious threat to the credibility of video evidence. With ONVIF, a leader in the standardization of IP-based security products, and C2PA, which comprises tech giants like Microsoft, Adobe, and Google, this partnership is set to introduce the Content Credentials standard to video security, ensuring that video footage reflects reality without any alterations.

Andrew Jenks, Executive Chair of C2PA, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming ONVIF as a liaison member, highlighting the significance of transparency in the digital media landscape. He emphasized that the collaboration will facilitate the integration of Content Credentials into video security systems, addressing a critical need for authenticity in video data.

Media Signing Technology

At the core of ONVIF's efforts is a technology known as media signing. This process involves cryptographically signing video footage at the point of capture using a unique digital key associated with the surveillance camera. By embedding these signatures into the video, an authentication tool can verify whether the video frames have remained intact from the moment they were captured.

This technology plays a vital role, especially in legal situations, where the validity of video evidence can significantly influence court outcomes. The loss of trust in video content can have dire repercussions across various fields, making this collaboration timely and crucial.

A Unified Approach to Combat Misinformation

With close to 500 member companies from various sectors of video management joining ONVIF, the initiative has the potential to transform how authenticity is managed across the board. The C2PA's Content Credentials standard not only records the source and lifecycle of media but also includes tamper-evident, cryptographically signed metadata that accompanies all forms of content, such as audio and images, providing a comprehensive solution against misinformation.

Leo Levit, Chairman of ONVIF's Steering Committee, remarked on the escalating threats from generative AI and content manipulation. He noted that the coalition’s efforts to maintain video integrity would significantly bolster user confidence, ensuring that recorded content can be verified as genuine and unaltered.

Conclusion

As ONVIF and C2PA forge ahead with their collaborative efforts, the ultimate goal remains to ensure a secure and trusted digital environment. With efforts directed towards implementing open standards that effectively track video authenticity, stakeholders, including security professionals and law enforcement agencies, can look forward to a future where trust in digital media is restored. For more information on ONVIF conformant products and member companies, please visit www.onvif.org.