ONVIF introduces Release Candidate for secure communications

Posted to Products on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 Share:

ONVIF – THE global standardisation initiative for IP-based physical security products – 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.

Add-ons enhance the ONVIF Profile model by enabling conformance to additional features and capabilities not already included in ONVIF Profiles. For their part, Profiles are permanent and 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 in order to accommodate new technology additions or updates.

“The TLS Configuration Add-On Release Candidate is a great case for an add-on,” explained Leo Levit, chair of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “It enables ONVIF conformance in a crucial area of security: secure communications between devices and clients. TLS and other cyber security specifications must be kept up-to-date on a continual basis, while the add-on concept enables those critical adjustments to be made within the confines of the ONVIF conformance process.”

Security encryption

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 the 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 system integrators alike.

Add-ons are also complementary to the ONVIF Profile process as products must also conform to an ONVIF Profile before being able to claim conformance to an add-on.

Driving interoperability

Founded back in 2008, ONVIF is a leading and well-recognised industry forum driving interoperability for IP-based physical security products. The organisation harbours a global member base of established camera, video management system and access control manufacturing 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 also Profile D for access control peripherals.

As an organisation, ONVIF continues to work with its members in order to expand the number of IP interoperability solutions that ONVIF-conformant products can provide.

*Further information is available on the ONVIF website at www.onvif.org