It’s hard to ignore the growing list of data breaches and cyberattacks that regularly hit the headlines. In 2017, a major credit reporting agency, Equifax, faced one of the largest data breaches in history which exposed the personal information of 147 million people. The root cause? Vulnerabilities in their web applications, exploited by attackers.
And while you might not immediately think of digital signage as a potential point of vulnerability, consider this: digital signage systems often transmit sensitive content across networks. Imagine a hacker taking control of a bank’s display to show false financial information or accessing internal corporate communications in a high-security facility.
As cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier puts it, “Data is a toxic asset.” So once you collect it, it becomes your problem. Local servers ensure that this “problem” remains securely within your walls, under your watchful eye, with no external vulnerabilities to worry about.
So why should your organization turn to on-premise digital signage? Let’s get into that!
What is On-Premise Digital Signage?
Understanding Local Server Digital Signage
So, what exactly is on-premise digital signage? It’s a system where the digital signage software and content management are hosted on local servers within your organization, as opposed to relying on third-party cloud-based platforms. This means your content—whether it’s videos, images, or real-time data feeds—never leaves your organization’s network.
If you’re familiar with traditional IT infrastructure, you’ll recognize the benefits of hosting systems locally: you maintain direct control over everything, from updates to security protocols. It’s the difference between renting a car (cloud-based) and owning your own (on-premise). When you own it, you decide where it goes, who drives it, and how it’s maintained. And in many industries, especially those that handle sensitive data, that level of control is non-negotiable.
But that is not to say that cloud-based solutions cannot provide the same level of data security, especially for smaller organizations where it makes financial sense to opt for a cloud-based solution.
At Look Digital Signage, we care deeply about the security of your content, which is why our cloud-based system is powered by AWS (Amazon Web Services), one of the world’s most secure cloud infrastructure providers. With AWS, we ensure that your content is safely stored and transmitted, with enough server capacity to scale your signage network to any size at any time.
Key Differences Between Cloud-Based and Local Server Digital Signage
Before we dive deeper into the security advantages, it’s important to understand how on-premise digital signage stacks up against cloud-based solutions.
Cloud-Based Digital Signage:
- Internet Dependency: Content is stored and delivered through external servers, dependent on a strong and secure Internet connection.
- Third-Party Management: A cloud provider controls your data and security, and you must trust their systems and protocols to protect your content.
- Remote Flexibility: Cloud systems allow you to manage your digital signage from anywhere, a convenience factor that appeals to many.
Local Server Digital Signage:
- Internal Network Control: All data stays within your organization’s infrastructure, drastically reducing the risk of external breaches.
- No Internet Dependency: With everything hosted on-site, your signage continues to function even if your internet goes down.
- Customizable Security: You have full control over your network, meaning you can tailor security protocols to your exact needs.
The Security Advantages of Local Server Digital Signage
Let’s look at why local server digital signage is a much safer bet for organizations that prioritize security.
Full Control Over Data and Content
One of the biggest selling points of on-premise digital signage is that you keep full control over your data. Every piece of content you display, every piece of information you transmit, stays within your organization's walls. This is especially important for industries that handle sensitive or proprietary information.
- Data Ownership: With local server solutions, your data isn’t passing through or stored on external servers. This reduces the chances of it being intercepted or misused by a third party.
- No Third-Party Involvement: Cloud services often rely on external vendors, which means trusting someone else with your data security. With on-premise solutions, you’re not handing over the keys to anyone.
Enhanced Network Security
Another key advantage of local server digital signage is the added layer of network security. Since your signage system is hosted internally, your IT team can manage and monitor the entire network so that it meets the highest security standards.
- Internal Network Hosting: Unlike cloud-based systems that rely on the internet, local server digital signage uses your internal network, which is much harder for external threats to access.
- Customizable Security Protocols: Your team can implement tailored security measures—like advanced firewalls, encryption, and regular monitoring—giving you peace of mind that your data is safe.
Protection Against Cloud Vulnerabilities
While cloud-based solutions can be convenient, they come with inherent risks. Outages, cyberattacks, and data breaches are real concerns when you’re relying on third-party servers to host your content.
- No Dependency on Internet Connection: If your internet goes down, a cloud-based system becomes unreliable unless it supports offline playback. But with on-premise digital signage, your content keeps running smoothly because it’s not dependent on external servers.
- Prevention of External Attacks: Cloud systems are often targeted by hackers because they’re more accessible from outside the network. With local server solutions, you significantly reduce the chances of an external attack, as your content never leaves your internal infrastructure.
Key Use Cases for Local Server Digital Signage
Certain industries stand to benefit most from the security offered by on-premise digital signage. If your organization handles sensitive data or operates under strict regulations, this solution might be exactly what you need.
Banking and Finance
Financial institutions deal with enormous amounts of sensitive data every day ranging from customer transactions to market updates that they can’t afford to have exposed.
- Handling Sensitive Financial Data: Keeping all signage systems on local servers means that financial data never leaves the bank’s network, ensuring it’s not exposed to outside threats.
- Compliance with Financial Regulations: The financial industry is heavily regulated, and many of these regulations require tight control over data. On-premise solutions make it easier to stay compliant with these rules.
Government and Public Institutions
Government organizations are prime targets for cyberattacks since they host classified information and sensitive public communications, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
- Maintaining Confidentiality in Government Communications: Using local server digital signage, government agencies can ensure that confidential communications stay within the network.
- Reducing Risks of Cyber Attacks: Cyber threats are a constant concern, and using on-premise systems greatly reduces the risk of external attacks on critical information.
Why Look Digital Signage's On-Premise Solution is Ideal
If you’re looking for a secure, reliable digital signage solution, Look Digital Signage offers a powerful on-premise option designed with security in mind.
Total Control and Privacy
With Look’s on-premise solution, you maintain full control over every piece of data and content. There’s no need to worry about third parties mishandling your information—it stays safely within your own infrastructure.
Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
Another major benefit is how easily Look’s solution integrates with your existing IT systems. Whether you’re working with complex security protocols or specialized communication networks, the platform is built to work with your infrastructure, not against it.
Industry-Specific Solutions
At Look DS, we understand that different industries have different needs. Our on-premise digital signage solution is flexible enough to cater to industries like finance, government, healthcare, and more, to provide them with a tailored solution for enhanced security and ease of use.
Why Local Server Digital Signage is the Secure Choice for Your Organization
For organizations handling sensitive information or working under strict regulations, local server digital signage provides a level of control and security that cloud-based solutions might struggle to match. By hosting your digital signage on your own servers, you keep your data safe, your content protected, and your organization compliant with industry standards.
If you’re ready to take control of your digital signage security, consider Look Digital Signage’s on-premise solution. Not only will you gain peace of mind, but you’ll also ensure that your organization’s digital communications remain secure and reliable.
Ready to bulletproof your signage system? Contact our sales team today to get a customized solution that caters to your organizations' digital signage security needs.
