About Us
At Irdeto, we believe our customers should feel confident and prepared, no matter what challenges they face. We protect digital platforms and applications for media & entertainment, connected transport, and IoT connected industries.
Our solutions and services enable our customers to protect their brand and revenues, create new offerings and fight cybercrime. We think holistically with a true end-to-end solution – it’s not enough to excel in one area of security. We differentiate by having a 360 view of security that is as deep as it is comprehensive, and can actually leverage that view to solve business challenges and predict the challenges on the horizon. As our tailored solutions will empower our customers to continually adapt and grow with the changing times, we build a strong relationship with each of them. With nearly 50 years of expertise in security, Irdeto’s software security technology and cyber services protect over 5 billion devices and applications for some of the world’s best known brands.
Management Team Bios
Doug Lowther | Chief Executive Officer
Doug Lowther is CEO at Irdeto. He brings extensive experience developing and executing successful business growth strategies in the fields of digital television, wireless networking, IP-based services and software security. Prior to Irdeto, Mr. Lowther was CEO of International Datacasting (IDC) where he led the restructuring of the business and renewed the company’s business strategy, product portfolio and leadership team. Before IDC, Mr. Lowther was Executive Vice-President at Irdeto. He started with Irdeto as Vice President of Marketing in 2004 and during the next several years led the creation of a product portfolio that achieved substantial revenue growth. Prior to joining Irdeto, Mr. Lowther was an independent consultant and strategy advisor. His previous positions include several executive roles with Nortel Networks, where he was Vice President and General Manager of Wireless Applications and the Vice President of Strategic Marketing. Mr. Lowther has a global perspective, having lived and worked in Canada, France, Singapore, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and China.
Maarten Koning | Chief Financial Officer
Maarten Koning is the Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for finance, including procurement, facilities and tax. Maarten joined Irdeto in December 2010 as VP of Finance. In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of the company’s finance operations, FP&A and treasury functions. Prior to joining Irdeto, Maarten worked for Pace, now part of Arris, and Philips in a variety of international roles, including strategy development, M&A and business unit finance positions. Maarten has extensive international experience, having lived in France and worked on M&A, transformation and operations projects in the UK, the US, South East Asia and China for longer periods on end. He graduated with honors from the University of Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Peter Oggel | Chief Technology Officer
Peter joined Irdeto in May 2009 and is currently Chief Technology Officer. He is a seasoned ICT and telecommunications industry executive with over 20 years of international experience and a consistent track record. Prior to joining Irdeto, Peter founded and served as the Managing Director of Smile Telecom, a startup that pioneered WiMAX technology while launching an operational mobile service provider (MVNO) and fixed line service provider (VOIP) in the Netherlands. Before he founded Smile Telecom, Peter was a Vice President at LogicaCMG where he held management positions in Strategic Sales, General Management, Operations and R&D, and was instrumental to the success of LogicaCMG’s mobile messaging and data solutions. Prior to joining LogicaCMG, Peter worked at different positions in Fintel S.A. and Digital Equipment Corporation in Switzerland and France. Peter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Physics from the Technological University in Eindhoven (Netherlands).
Ben Bennett | SVP Business Development
Prior to joining Irdeto, Ben worked extensively in the digital TV, interactive media/entertainment and mobile telecoms sectors in a number of countries worldwide, most recently in a consultative role as President and Advisor to the Board of Equilibrium. He joined Equilibrium from OpenTV where he was CEO and led the company to its first year of profitability before taking OpenTV private (from NASDAQ) by merging with its parent company. Before becoming CEO, Ben also held the roles of Managing Director of OpenTV's European operations and Senior Vice President of World Wide Professional Services and Consulting where he was responsible for sales and customer deployments in over 30 countries worldwide.
Prior to his time at OpenTV, Ben held management positions at Spyglass, Logica and British Telecom. Ben holds an Honors Degree in Engineering Science and Technology from Loughborough University of Technology in England and currently resides in San Francisco, USA.
Andrew Bunten | SVP Content Protection
Andy Bunten is SVP of Content Protection and is responsible for leading the company in delivering industry-leading security solutions to cable, satellite and telco operators. He joined Irdeto as Chief Financial Officer in February of 2015. Prior to joining Irdeto, Andy was the CFO for Hewlett-Packard's cloud business, shepherding the company's strategic investment from the start-up phase to early maturity. His time at HP also included management roles focused on financial analytics and emerging markets. Andy built and led the FP&A function at the online auto insurance start-up Esurance, Inc. before it was successfully sold to Allstate in 2008. His background includes significant transaction experience in both private equity and investment banking. He graduated with honors from the University of Kansas.
Jaco Du Plooy | VP of IoT Security
Jaco Du Plooy joined Irdeto in 1996 in South Africa as a software developer on the DVB Conditional Access system. He relocated to Hoofddorp in 1998 where he helped to architect and design Irdeto’s first IPTV Conditional Access system - CypherCast. He relocated to California in 2001 to help establish Cyphercast, and later held Technical Lead and Project Architect positions. He became the Engineering Manager following the acquisition of Lockstream, a startup focused on Digital Rights Management for Mobile devices. He held Engineering Director and General Manager positions at Irdeto USA until he moved to Irdeto’s Ottawa, Canada facility in June 2011, where he served as VP Product Development for the Cloakware software security technology. In 2013, he assumed the role of VP Engineering and was responsible for global Engineering in Canada, China, the Netherlands, France, India and the USA and for delivering advanced security technologies to Pay TV and OTT Operators, Telco’s and the Studio segment. He is currently VP of IoT Security and is responsible for the company’s go-to-market strategy for the suite of Cloakware solutions.
Prior to Irdeto, Jaco held Electrical Engineering and Software development positions in two South African companies in the military aviation technology industry. He holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering, BSc degree in Computer Science from the University of South Africa, and an MBA.
Ingeborg van Harten | Head of Human Resources (interim)
Ingeborg van Harten is the Head of Human Resources (interim) for Irdeto, and has worldwide responsibility for Irdeto’s HR function, including Irdeto’s HR strategy, policies and programs, and the operational delivery of HR services.
Bengt Jonsson | SVP Sales and Services
Bengt Jonsson is SVP of Sales and Services. He is responsible for strategic planning for key accounts, new business acquisition, developing new growth opportunities, leading Irdeto’s global sales team and overseeing the company’s integrated marketing program. Bengt joined Irdeto as Vice President Sales, Asia Pacific in July 2008. Prior to joining Irdeto, Bengt was CEO of LyngBox Media AB, a Swedish hybrid set-top box start-up. He has also held senior management positions with Thomson's Client Device business unit in Asia and with Nokia's multimedia business units in Asia and Europe. Bengt holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Linkoping University in Sweden and Cranfield Institute of Technology in the UK.
Rory O'Connor | SVP Cybersecurity Services
Rory O’Connor is SVP of Cybersecurity Services at Irdeto and responsible for leading the company’s piracy management strategy and cloud-based services on a global level. Rory has been with Irdeto since 2004 and has held the positions of VP of Engineering, Director of Mobile Products and Director of Product Management. He joined Irdeto from Agere (Lucent Microelectronics) and brought over 10 years of experience working in the wireless industry. He previously held product management positions at LogicaCMG and KPNQwest. Rory has an MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management and an Electronic Engineering degree from Dublin City University.
Niels Haverkorn | General Manager, Connected Transport
Niels Haverkorn joined Irdeto in 2018 as General Manager, Connected Transport to accelerate the development of Irdeto’s thriving connected transport security business. An expert on the business of connected platforms and services, he joined Irdeto from Volvo, where, as Vice President of Business Platform Services and Solutions, he was responsible for developing and leading digital strategy for Volvo Construction Equipment.
Prior to joining Volvo, Niels held a variety of global leadership roles with Phillips, where most recently he was General Manager of the mobility solutions global business unit. In this capacity, he and his team developed various smart ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) solutions for the automotive and mobility markets.
Melt Loubser | VP of Broadcast Managed Services
Melt Loubser has more than 25 years of experience in the video entertainment market. He is currently the Vice President of Broadcast Managed Services at Irdeto. In this role, he leads the Irdeto Broadcast Managed Services team, which provides expert support and professional management of the pay TV Operator’s Head-Ends, Networks, Conditional Access Systems and VOD/OTT content preparation and protection systems. Prior to this role, Melt was General Manager for Broadcast Technology at MultiChoice Africa and was responsible for all of the broadcast platform operations and engineering within the Group that offers video entertainment content across multiple platforms (Analogue, Direct to Home Satellite, Digital Terrestrial Television, Digital Terrestrial, OTT and IPTV). He also led the implementation of all new technologies within MultiChoice Africa.
A “Green” Company
Irdeto is committed to environmental responsibility, which is evidenced by its architectural and interior design and energy utilization principles in its Netherlands office, as well its focus on finding innovative ways to deliver “greener” solutions to the market.
Irdeto’s office in the Netherlands was designed and built with the environment in mind. Located just opposite Hoofddorp train station, the building is equipped with bike racks and showers to encourage employees to use environmentally-friendly modes of transportation. Designed by MIII Architects, this sustainable 10,000 sq. m. office building meets the GreenCalc-score B.
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MIII and Irdeto developed the building with a strong focus on sustainability, flexibility and future scalability. The charcoal-colored brick pedestal elevates the building and can accommodate 200 vehicles in a two-story car park. The building is sculpted into three wings, each six stories high, with a centrally-located atrium that features a wooden curtain wall that covers the concrete construction. The wooden curtain wall is made from 100% sustainable Western Red Cedar.The carpeting and inside wall coverings utilize post consumer-recycled content, reducing the amount of trees and other natural resources used in the manufacturing process.
Where possible, Irdeto sourced local vendors for other materials like furniture and tiles, reducing transportation costs and by-products, further lowering the company’s carbon footprint.
Compact fluorescent lighting with high intensity reflectors also minimize the amount of energy used. Lighting requirements are offset by the many windows throughout the building, and the large skylights in the atrium, restaurant and mezzanine areas.
Floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the surrounding terrain, showcasing the relationship between natural and fabricated materials. This eco-friendly building is the perfect design contrast to the digitally-oriented, high-tech company it houses.
“Green” Solutions
Irdeto supports the European Union’s voluntary agreement on energy saving, in addition to the voluntary agreements in the U.S. and Australia. Irdeto also participates actively in industry forums to further the energy saving cause, and offers a sound strategy and practical approach to help our customers become “green” with both new and existing deployments.
Irdeto Cloaked CA, a greener way to protect pay TV
One great example of Irdeto’s green initiative is Irdeto Cloaked CA, an innovative card-less software security solution that delivers the same level of uncompromising security as a smart card, for protecting digital TV content. Smart cards, commonly used in pay TV and other security-critical industries, are built from layers of plastic, electronic components, copper and gold among other materials. Many toxic substances such as glues and solvents are used in the production, assembling and packaging of smart cards, and transporting cards between locations and distributing them to end users also require significant logistical efforts and resources, and produce waste.
All this leads to a significant amount of energy usage and waste, which clearly has a negative impact on the environment and incurs costs for operators. While Irdeto’s strategy has always been to help operators renew security over the air on deployed smart cards to keep them in the field for as long as possible, it is common in the pay TV industry for conditional access (CA) providers to leverage card swaps as a way to update security. Irdeto estimated that more than 78 million cards were swapped globally by pay TV operators in 2011, and as many as HALF A BILLION cards would be swapped from 2011 to 2015. As a smart card weighs six grams each, the estimated number of swapped cards in five years represents nearly 3500 tons of waste — comparable to 300 mature elephants!
Committed to security, environmentally conscious
As a cardless solution, Cloaked CA eliminates the energy and waste associated with smart card production, distribution and disposal. Being “green” does not mean any compromises on the “cool factor”, either, as security updates, new features and functionalities for Cloaked CA can be easily downloaded over the air to the device on both one-way and two-way networks.
With Cloaked CA, Irdeto fully redefines the traditional pay TV security approach, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to a smart card solution. See how pay TV operators such as Stofa and Mega Media are using Cloaked CA, Irdeto’s fully renewable, software-based conditional access solution, to ensure uncompromising security for their pay TV services.
Irdeto Technology India Pvt. Ltd – E-Waste Policy
At Irdeto Technology India Pvt. Ltd., we believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that we do business in such a manner that it enriches our environment and planet. That’s why we make sure that we deliver innovative and eco-friendly products to our consumers. We are committed to product stewardship through the life cycle of our electronics, and ensure compliance with E-waste rules in India.
Certifications
Irdeto conducts its operations according to world class standards in order to ensure its products and services attain high levels of quality and security.
ISO 9001
Irdeto conducts its operations according to world class standards to ensure its products and services attain high levels of quality and security. This is supported by the implementation of an ISO 9001 certified Business Management System providing a framework for processes driving the company’s strategy and objectives. This framework of ISO 9001 international standard enables Irdeto to constantly enhance customer satisfaction through continual improvement of its processes. Irdeto’s implementation of the standard is regularly audited by an external certification body. While the ISO 9001 certificate covers our DTV Business Line, the process and principle are applied across the organization.
SART
Irdeto was the first foreign manufacturer to receive Class A SART certification from the Chinese State Administration for Radio and Television (SART). The certification mandates increased levels of specification for providers of conditional access (CA) systems in the areas of reliability, security and scalability.
