A Clearer Path to Stronger Security by Terri Davies, President, Trusted Partner Network (TPN), Motion Picture Association
90% of TPN members report that they work on pre-release content, yet 96% of TPN assessments have reported security gaps.
Through our Motion Picture Association (MPA) 360-strong program, combining ACE (the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, the MPA’s antipiracy program) and TPN insights, we’ve identified persistent security gaps across the industry, including missing multi-factor authentication, weak passwords and social engineering vulnerabilities. Nearly 1,000 TPN assessments further reveal top issues such as inadequate firewall access controls, weak vulnerability management and lack of penetration testing.
It should be no surprise then, if Content Owners are demanding stronger safeguards.
Since relaunching the TPN program in February 2023, we have raised the bar by requiring a remediation plan to earn a Gold Shield. In parallel, we’ve worked closely with Content Owners to strengthen the MPA Best Practices, enhance the program, and launch a Partner Resource Center offering free security resources and member group discounts for services such as penetration testing.
While requiring remediation plans was a valuable first step, additional action is needed to close the open remediation items. Without any action, customers are forced to do their own due diligence directly with their vendor partners.
This is inefficient and costly for all parties involved.
TPN are tackling the remediation issues head on by introducing our new four-tier Shield structure: Blue (self-reported), Silver (TPN assessed plus remediation plan), Gold (all Best Practices remediated) and Gold Star (all Best Practices and Additional Recommendations remediated).
This update goes beyond tiers and badges. It’s about making security progress transparent.
Vendors should be able to demonstrate their improvements to differentiate themselves, and Content Owners need visibility to make their own informed, risk-based decisions. With the introduction of the new TPN Shields, we are enabling Content Owners to have greater confidence in their vendor partnerships by making security maturity and remediation progress more visible. With everyone working from the same trusted baseline, the industry can focus its efforts on strengthening security rather than re-validating what has already been confirmed.
Developed on the foundational building blocks of the TPN program, this next-gen Shield system represents a fully aligned, industry-backed approach to content security, rooted in the MPA Content Security Best Practices and shaped in close collaboration with our content owner members.
The next-gen TPN Shields are designed to bring clarity, confidence, and momentum to our shared mission of securing content industry wide.
To support our next-gen standard, we’re committed to ensuring no one is left behind. TPN’s free industry resources – including security policy templates and translations – remain available to the entire industry, regardless of TPN membership status.
Thank you to our partners for your guidance and collaboration in shaping this important update. Together, we’re raising the bar and ensuring the path forward is clear for everyone.
The new four-tier Shield system is now live on our TPN+ platform.
Check out our FAQs at www.ttpn.org for more information.
Jon Creamer
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