Method and Apparatus for Distribution and Synchronization of Cryptographic Context Information

摘要

Method and apparatus for distribution and synchronization of cryptographic context information is described. An aspect of the invention relates to synchronizing an encryptor and key management logic in a video distribution system. A request message is received from the encryptor. The request message includes authentication data and stream-dependent parameters associated with an internet protocol (IP) packet stream to be encrypted. Authenticity of the encryptor is verified using the authentication data. A cryptographic context for the IP packet stream is generated having the stream-dependent parameters and at least one encryption key. A reply message is sent to the encryptor having the at least one encryption key. Key stream messages having the cryptographic context are distributed towards user devices. The user devices are receiving an encrypted version of the IP packet stream generated by the encryptor.