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MPA Content Security Best Practices (TPN)

TPN defines the MPA Content Security Best Practices to increase security awareness, preparedness, and capabilities to secure content throughout the content lifecycle. Assessments are performed using MPA's standardized Content Security Best Practices. The MPA Content Security Best Practices establish a single benchmark of minimum-security preparedness for all Service Providers and runs an assessment program against the Best Practices to determine a Service Provider's security status. By creating a single, global registry of “Trusted Partner” Service Providers and their security status, Content Owners can make independent, risk-based business decisions.

Modules include:

  • TPN Navigator
  • TPN Preamble
  • MPA Content Security Best Practices (TPN)

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About the Standard

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) Content Security Best Practices, maintained by the Trusted Partner Network (TPN), outline a framework of security controls to protect film and television content across production, post-production, marketing, and distribution. Compliance with these best practices is voluntary and not an accreditation program, but they serve as a benchmark for vendors and partners to meet minimum security preparedness standards. Below is an overview of the key compliance requirements based on the latest available information, particularly Version 5.2 and 5.3.1 of the MPA Content Security Best Practices:

Key Compliance Requirements

  1. General Security Expectations:
    • Vendors must implement controls to securely store, process, and deliver protected media and content, addressing risks across physical and digital environments. This includes facilities, staff, and workflows.
    • The best practices cover risk management, document organization, and both physical and digital controls to ensure content security, including during remote work scenarios.
  2. Hardening Guidelines for Software Application Providers:
    • A critical requirement introduced in Version 5.2 mandates that Software Application Providers supply hardening guidelines. These guidelines detail security measures and best practices to protect applications from cyber-attacks.
    • These guidelines must be uploaded to the TPN+ platform, which serves as a centralized repository for TPN members to manage and access these documents.
  3. Comprehensive Security Controls:
    • The best practices address multiple domains, including:
      • Remote Content Handling and Work-from-Home: Enhanced scoping for secure remote workflows, reflecting the industry’s shift to distributed work environments.
      • Physical Assets and Data Centers: Guidelines for securing physical infrastructure and data centers where content is stored or processed.
      • Cloud and Application Security: Version 5.0 and later emphasize security for cloud-based workflows and software applications, aligning with industry trends toward cloud adoption.
    • Vendors must implement controls for secure content management during production, post-production, marketing, and distribution phases.
  4. TPN Assessment Process:
    • Vendors undergo assessments against the MPA Best Practices, conducted by TPN-accredited auditors. These assessments evaluate a vendor’s security posture and alignment with best practices.
    • The TPN+ platform and assessment questionnaire have been updated to streamline profile management and communication of security preparedness to Content Owners.
    • Assessments are designed to measure compliance with minimum security preparedness requirements and support the creation of a Security Remediation Plan if deficiencies are identified.
  5. Minimum Security Preparedness and Risk-Based Framework:
    • The best practices establish a single benchmark of minimum security preparedness, providing a framework that supports varying levels of acceptable risk.
    • Vendors are encouraged to develop thorough Security Remediation Plans to address vulnerabilities identified during assessments.
    • The framework is designed to be flexible, accommodating companies of all sizes across the media supply chain.
  6. Continuous Improvement and Feedback:
    • TPN emphasizes ongoing collaboration with members to refine the best practices. Feedback from Content Owners, Service Providers, and Software Application Providers is used to evolve the guidelines and address emerging trends and technologies.
    • Regular updates to the best practices (e.g., Version 5.2 in August 2023 and Version 5.3.1 as noted on the TPN website) ensure alignment with industry transformation and technological advancements.
  7. Specific Policy Templates and Resources:
    • TPN provides resources like Change Control Policy, Disaster Recovery Policy, and Data & Assets Policy templates on the TPN+ platform to help vendors meet compliance requirements.
    • Compliance with standards like ISO 27001:2022 is mapped to TPN Security Assessment v5.3, aiding vendors in aligning with broader industry standards.
  8. Content Owner and Vendor Collaboration:
    • The best practices foster alignment between Content Owners (e.g., major studios like Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros.) and vendors by providing a standardized framework for security expectations.
    • Vendors are encouraged to proactively assess and strengthen their security posture before engaging with studios, reducing onboarding timelines.

Additional Notes

  • Voluntary Compliance: Adherence to the MPA Content Security Best Practices is not mandatory, and decisions to engage vendors are made unilaterally by each MPA member studio based on their risk assessments.
  • Global Applicability: The best practices apply to vendors across 52 countries, with over 650 members, including Content Owners, Service Providers, and Software Application companies.
  • Access to Guidelines: The MPA Content Security Best Practices Version 5.2 is available online at the TPN website (www.ttpn.org), and Version 5.3.1 is referenced as the latest version.
  • Critical Examination: While the MPA and TPN provide a robust framework, some vendors may find the assessment process resource-intensive, particularly for smaller companies. The voluntary nature of compliance allows flexibility but may lead to inconsistent adoption across the industry. Always verify the latest requirements directly with TPN or MPA, as updates are frequent to address evolving security challenges.