NFL Playbook Security

The NFL Teams had a few requirements:

• Players had to limited time to view films
• Playbooks needed to be updated
• Players are always traveling
• Security on playbooks

PlayerLync currently offers more than a dozen different modules for different features and needs.

• Playbook publishing and updating
• Video playback from practices and previous games
• A module for quickly editing and distributing game or practice video called TravelLync
• Communications for players and coaches to interact
• A calendar and events module
• A testing module to ensure that encourages communication and understanding of playbook content
• A statistics module
• Secure access to a team’s office intranet
• Document management similar to solutions like SharePoint and BaseCamp
• An equipment inventory and management module
• A module for ticket requests
• LifeLync, an internal team communications module similar to an internal social network
• Scouting and recruiting tools

(PlayerLync, 2013) (Faas, 2012)

The Dolphins’ net iPads playbook won’t block players from accessing sites and features unrelated to studying plays and file and other job-related activities.  The bad news is there is going to be a stiff price for doing so.  The team will fine players $10,000 for accessing unauthorized websites. (Florio, 2012)

Security

The iPad is secured and there is a separate software application that requires a password.  It takes two passwords to open up the playbook.  It can be remotely wiped.  Everything is encrypted. (Darlington, 2012)

The typical iPad security solutions focus on device, app, and content management.

• Device management ensures that only needed device features are enabled – that can mean deactivating the on-board cameras, prevent the ability to install outside apps, and requiring a passcode to unlock an iPad. It also means that ability to wipe a lost or stolen device.
• App management offers easy install and update of apps across all iPads used by a team, suggesting apps to players and others in a team’s organization, and alerting coaches or administrators to the install of unauthorized apps.
• Content management means the secure distribution of documents, videos, and other files to all the iPads used by a team. It also means controlling which players or coaches see which content. At a granular level, access to specific information can denied or allowed. Most importantly, content management means securely encrypting content on a device such that someone stealing an iPad wouldn’t be able to get to the secure information and videos stored on it. (Faas, 2012)

Advanced Layers of Security

1. Device certificates – Enterprise model
2. VPN (optional for organization compliance of off-network access)
3. SSL – Secure Socket Layer
4. Encryption of local data
5. Application username, password, and UDID (Unique Device Identification)
6. Tablet Login with multiple failures – content wiping
7. User tracking & Single user instance
8. Auditing & trackability
9. Role based security & administration
10. TTL (Time to Live) with local and remote “time-bomb” capabilities

(PlayerLync, 2013)

Bibliography

Florio, M. (2012). Dolphins to fine players who visit “unauthorized” sites on iPad playbooks. Retrieved from www.profootballtalk.nbcsports.com: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/24/dolphins-to-fine-players-who-visit-unauthorized-sites-on-ipad-playbooks/

Darlington, J. (2012). Touch Footbal. Retrieved from www.nfl.com: http://www.nfl.com/qs/ipadplaybook/index.jsp

PlayerLync. (2013). Auto Synchronize iPads Giving you Mobility with Security. Retrieved from www.playerlync.com: http://www.playerlync.com/solutions/distribution-model.html

Faas, R. (2012). Why Most NFL Teams are Ditching their Playbooks for iPads. Retrieved from www.cultofmac.com: http://www.cultofmac.com/188847/why-most-nfl-teams-are-ditching-their-playbooks-for-ipads-feature/