ATLANTA -- Nagravision, a Kudelski Group (SWX:KUD) company and the world's leading independent supplier of open conditional access systems, DRM and integrated on-demand solutions for content providers and digital TV operators over broadcast and broadband platforms, today announced it has certified 1000 different models of set-top boxes from over 60 manufacturers. Under the company’s certification program set-top boxes are certified against specifications designed to preserve software integrity and prevent hardware tampering. Worldwide digital television operators distributing services over cable, satellite, telco or wireless networks can use the pre-approved set-top boxes to ensure and increase the security of their deployments.

Nagravision Chief Technology Officer Philippe Stransky said, “It is important to recognize that providing a secure conditional access system has many additional operational, logistical and support aspects far beyond securing the signal. Set-top box certification is critical to providing the level of service and support that pay TV operators expect.”

The certification program covers a complete set of functionalities and a variety of architectures and design solutions. Protective mechanisms range from securing external ports on the box and disks, authenticating code to prevent rogue software and hijacking, and internal bus security. In many certified set-top boxes, Nagravision also integrates middleware that will be used for applications ranging from EPGs to gaming and video on demand services. In the last 12 months, Nagravision has certified over 150 set-top box models.

Stransky added, “As the retail set-top box market opens for US cable and elsewhere, providing these ongoing certifications is a key factor giving our customers access to a wide choice of low cost secure set-top boxes. It enables the widespread adoption of subscriber owned boxes and a successful change in the market’s current business model.”

Nagravision SA