A Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transport Protocol (DASH) server component is disclosed. The DASH server component may comprise a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and a transmitter coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured to generate one or more keys containing content protection information for media content, associate the keys with one or more segments of media content, store the keys in a DASH metadata track in the memory, and generate a media presentation description (MPD) specifying an association between the keys and the segments of media content. The transmitter may be configured to transmit the keys to at least one client independently of transmitting the media content and transmit the MPD to the at least one client.