Solvable problems in enterprise digital rights management
Information Management & Computer Security
ISSN: 0968-5227
Article publication date: 27 February 2007
Abstract
Purpose
Digital rights management (DRM) is often promoted as the technical basis for solutions to enterprise security problems requiring persistent protection. Yet to date, DRM has failed to take hold within the enterprise sphere. This paper aims to examine some possible reasons for the slow adoption of enterprise DRM.
Design/methodology/approach
It is argued that contrary to the common perception current DRM technology is sufficiently robust for use in enterprise applications. Then three problems that may serve as barriers to enterprise DRM adoption, namely, trustworthy authentication, access policy management and the lack of compelling enterprise applications that require DRM are discussed. Finally, brief examples are presented drawn from the real world that illustrate that the first two barriers can be overcome, and it is argued that regulatory compliance is the “killer app” that will drive enterprise DRM adoption.
Findings
Finds, amongst other things, that technical weakness in enterprise DRM systems, especially regarding authentication and authorization, can be addressed with relatively simple mechanisms.
Originality/value
This paper points up the need for more sophisticated enterprise DRM solutions.
Keywords
Citation
Sebes, E.J. and Stamp, M. (2007), "Solvable problems in enterprise digital rights management", Information Management & Computer Security, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 33-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/09685220710738769
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited