DTLS
Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) is a communications protocol that provides security for datagram-based applications by preventing eavesdropping, tampering, and message forgery. It is based on the TLS protocol but adapted to work over unreliable transport protocols like UDP, making it suitable for real-time applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and IoT communications. DTLS ensures data integrity, confidentiality, and authentication in scenarios where packet loss and reordering are common.
Developers should learn and use DTLS when building applications that require secure communication over unreliable networks, such as real-time media streaming, online gaming, or IoT device communication where TCP's reliability mechanisms are unsuitable. It is essential for implementing secure WebRTC connections, VPNs over UDP, and any scenario where low latency and tolerance to packet loss are critical, as it provides TLS-like security without the overhead of TCP's connection-oriented nature.