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PCI-DSS Compliance
for Video Streaming

Security Best Practices for Payment Card Industry Environments
WINK Streaming Technical Brief
August 2025

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary: Video Security in Payment Environments

The Bottom Line: Video streaming systems in PCI-DSS environments must encrypt all data in transit, implement strong authentication, and maintain comprehensive audit trails. Traditional unencrypted protocols like RTSP, RTP, and standard RTMP are non-compliant and create significant security risks.

This document provides comprehensive guidance for implementing PCI-DSS compliant video streaming systems. Whether you're monitoring retail locations, securing payment processing facilities, or enabling video surveillance in cardholder data environments (CDEs), every component must meet stringent security requirements.

Critical Requirement: PCI-DSS mandates that ALL sensitive data in transit must be encrypted using strong cryptography. This includes video feeds that could potentially expose cardholder data environments, payment terminals, or sensitive business operations.

2. Understanding PCI-DSS Requirements for Video Systems

Applicable PCI-DSS Requirements

Requirement Video System Impact Implementation Need
4.1 - Strong Cryptography All video streams must be encrypted TLS, SRT, SRTP, or equivalent
7.1 - Access Control Role-based video access permissions Authentication and authorization systems
8.2 - User Authentication Strong passwords, MFA for video access Multi-factor authentication required
10.1 - Audit Logging Log all video access and configuration changes Comprehensive logging infrastructure
11.4 - Network Monitoring Monitor video network traffic for anomalies Intrusion detection systems

Scope Determination

Key Principle: Video systems are in PCI-DSS scope if they can view, access, or potentially compromise cardholder data environments. This includes cameras monitoring POS terminals, payment processing areas, or network infrastructure supporting payment systems.

3. The Protocol Security Matrix

Protocol Compliance Status

Protocol Default Security PCI-DSS Status Compliant Alternative
RTSP (Standard) ❌ Unencrypted NON-COMPLIANT RTSPS + SRTP
RTP (Standard) ❌ Unencrypted NON-COMPLIANT SRTP
RTMP (Standard) ❌ Unencrypted NON-COMPLIANT RTMPS (RTMP over TLS)
HTTP ❌ Unencrypted NON-COMPLIANT HTTPS
SRT ✅ AES Encrypted COMPLIANT -
RTSPS + SRTP ✅ TLS + SRTP COMPLIANT -
RTMPS ✅ TLS Encrypted COMPLIANT -
HLS over HTTPS ✅ HTTPS Transport COMPLIANT -
WebRTC ✅ DTLS/SRTP COMPLIANT -
Critical Warning: Using any unencrypted protocol (RTSP, RTP, RTMP, HTTP) in a PCI-DSS environment is an automatic compliance failure. These protocols transmit video data in clear text, making them vulnerable to interception and analysis.

4. Secure Video Streaming Protocols

SRT (Secure Reliable Transport)

Best Choice for Security: SRT provides encryption by default with AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256. It's specifically designed for secure, low-latency video transport and includes built-in authentication mechanisms.

SRT Security Features:

RTSPS with SRTP

For environments requiring RTSP compatibility, the secure variant uses:

RTMPS (RTMP over TLS)

Secure RTMP implementation providing:

WebRTC

Browser-native security with:

5. Implementation Architecture

Secure Video Streaming Architecture

    [IP Cameras] 
         │ SRT or RTSPS+SRTP
         ↓
    [Video Ingestion Server]
    - TLS certificate validation
    - Strong authentication
    - Encrypted storage
         │
         ├─ HTTPS → [CDN] → [Public Access]
         ├─ SRT → [Secure Distribution]
         └─ WebRTC → [Real-time Monitoring]
    
    Network Security:
    - Firewall rules (specific ports only)
    - VPN access for management
    - Network segmentation (DMZ)
    - IDS/IPS monitoring
    
    Access Control:
    - Multi-factor authentication
    - Role-based permissions
    - Session timeout enforcement
    - Certificate-based authentication

Certificate Management

TLS Certificate Requirements:

6. Network Security Requirements

Network Segmentation

Network Zone Purpose Security Controls
Camera VLAN IP camera network Isolated, encrypted protocols only
Video Server DMZ Video processing servers Firewall rules, IDS monitoring
Management Network Administrative access VPN required, MFA enforcement
Public Distribution External video access CDN, HTTPS only, rate limiting

Firewall Configuration

Recommended Firewall Rules

# Inbound - Video Ingestion (SRT)
ALLOW TCP/UDP 1935 FROM camera_network TO video_servers

# Inbound - Secure RTSP (RTSPS)
ALLOW TCP 322 FROM camera_network TO video_servers

# Inbound - HTTPS Distribution
ALLOW TCP 443 FROM any TO distribution_servers

# Management Access (VPN only)
ALLOW TCP 22,443 FROM vpn_network TO video_servers

# DENY all other traffic
DENY all FROM any TO video_infrastructure

7. Access Control and Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

PCI-DSS Requirement: All administrative access to video systems must implement multi-factor authentication. This includes web interfaces, API access, and direct system administration.

MFA Implementation Options:

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Role Permissions MFA Required
Viewer Live video viewing only Yes
Operator PTZ control, preset management Yes
Administrator System configuration, user management Yes (Hardware token required)
Auditor Log access, compliance reporting Yes

Session Management

Session Security Requirements:

8. Monitoring and Compliance Validation

Required Audit Logging

PCI-DSS Requirement 10: All access to video systems must be logged with sufficient detail to support forensic analysis. Logs must be protected against tampering and retained according to compliance requirements.

Events That Must Be Logged:

Log Format Requirements

Required Log Fields:
- Timestamp (UTC, synchronized with NTP)
- User ID and source IP address
- Type of event and outcome (success/failure)
- System component affected
- Details of the event

Example Log Entry:
2025-08-03T14:30:15Z user=jdoe@company.com src_ip=192.168.1.100 
event=camera_access camera_id=CAM001 action=ptz_control 
direction=left outcome=success session_id=a1b2c3d4

Real-Time Monitoring

Alert Type Trigger Condition Response Action
Authentication Failure 3+ failed login attempts in 5 minutes Account lockout, security team notification
Unusual Access Pattern Access from new location/device Additional authentication challenge
Protocol Violation Unencrypted traffic detected Immediate connection termination
Configuration Change Any system configuration modification Change approval verification

9. Common PCI-DSS Video Violations

Frequently Encountered Violations

Violation #1: Unencrypted Video Streams

Problem: Using standard RTSP, RTP, or RTMP protocols without encryption.

Solution: Implement SRT, RTSPS+SRTP, or RTMPS for all video transport.

Impact: Automatic PCI-DSS failure, potential data breach exposure.

Violation #2: Weak Authentication

Problem: Using default passwords, single-factor authentication, or shared accounts.

Solution: Implement MFA, unique user accounts, and strong password policies.

Impact: Requirement 8 violation, unauthorized access risk.

Violation #3: Insufficient Logging

Problem: Not logging video access events or storing logs insecurely.

Solution: Comprehensive logging with secure, tamper-evident storage.

Impact: Requirement 10 violation, inability to detect breaches.

Violation #4: Network Segmentation Failures

Problem: Video systems directly accessible from corporate networks.

Solution: Proper VLAN segmentation and firewall controls.

Impact: Expanded PCI-DSS scope, lateral movement risk.

10. Implementation Checklist

Pre-Implementation Assessment

Planning Phase:

Technical Implementation

Protocol Security:

Access Control:

Network Security:

Monitoring and Logging:

Compliance Validation

Testing and Validation:

Ongoing Maintenance

Monthly Tasks:

Quarterly Tasks:

Annual Tasks:

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About WINK Streaming

WINK Streaming provides PCI-DSS compliant video streaming solutions for payment environments. Our platform supports secure protocols including SRT, RTSPS+SRTP, and RTMPS, with built-in compliance features and comprehensive audit capabilities.

PCI-DSS Compliance Features:

Ensure your video streaming infrastructure meets PCI-DSS requirements from day one. Contact our compliance specialists at wink.co

© 2025 WINK Streaming. All rights reserved.
This document contains proprietary information and is subject to change without notice.
Version 1.0 - August 2025