Scalable video encryption of H.264 SVC Codec

A new algorithm for encrypting H.264 SVC (Scalable Video Codec) video data is developed. Security requirements of encoded video are examined together with constraints arising from structural properties of the SVC software. Performance analysis of the new algorithm is reported and its strength against cryptanalysis attacks is discussed. It has been demonstrated that the new algorithm has almost no overhead with low level encryption and acceptable overhead for high level encryption that leads to totally unperceivable video.

► Security requirements of scalable video codec are analysed.
► Concept of layered security is introduced.
► An algorithm for source encypting H264 Scalable Video Codec is developed.
► Cryptoanalysis indicated correlation between security layer and bitrate overhead.