An advantage of the SAFECAST technology is that a software-based encryption toolkit is made available to the publisher in order to allow complete control of the encryption process. SAFECAST does not require professional mastering and replication and can be burned directly on gold discs.

Once a publisher encrypts the gold disc they can distribute it directly to end users who are then required to contact the publisher directly or via a web site to obtain access keys to play the program. The access keys eliminate hardware dongles or other security mechanisms which often interfere with playing a particular pre-release program.