In the world of film, television, and creative industries, intellectual property is as precious as gold. Many creative businesses in London and Hampshire are no strangers to the importance of robust IT support and cyber security measures. With the Trusted Partner Network certification, the standards expected enter another level.
In this blog, we offer a handy summary of the what, why, and how of TPN certification that you can use to get closer to TPN compliance and the commercial opportunity it can offer to your agency.
What is TPN and why does it matter?
The Trusted Partner Network (TPN) is an initiative designed to protect content from piracy and cyber threats within the film, television, and creative industries. It’s a global, industry-wide film and television content protection initiative. The importance of TPN cannot be overstated; it’s essentially proof indicating that a company adheres to stringent cyber security standards to protect their clients’ precious content. In an era where cyber threats lurk around every digital corner, TPN compliance assures your clients that their content is in safe hands. Whether you’re in London, Hampshire, or anywhere else, TPN is often a critical requirement for working with clients in the media and entertainment industries.
TPN Criteria and your Business’s IT At the core of the TPN certification criteria is the MPA Content Security Program Best Practices, a robust set of criteria established and updated by the Motion Pictures Association. The relevant criteria and how it is to be met for different businesses and industries vary, but for marketing and creative agencies, they can be simplified into a number of key digestible elements:
1. Network Security
Network security is crucial, involving firewalls, IDS, and IPS to ward off unauthorised access. Encryption protocols like TLS 1.3 are vital for securing data in transit. Examples of measures include network segmentation and end-to-end encryption.
2. Data Protection
Robust data protection mechanisms are required to secure data at rest and in transit, using AES encryption and secure transfer protocols like SFTP. Regular secure backups and data integrity verification through hashing are also essential.
3. Access Controls
Access to sensitive information must be restricted to authorised personnel only, employing MFA and RBAC. Regular access reviews and strong authentication methods are necessary, like biometric authentication and robust password policies.
4. Physical Security
Physical premises security against unauthorised entry is mandatory, using surveillance, controlled access points, and regular security audits. Measures like biometric access systems and mantrap entry systems are examples.
5. Employee Training
Regular staff training on security best practices and potential threats is crucial, including phishing and social engineering awareness, and training in security policies and data handling procedures.
6. Incident Response and Management
An effective incident response and management plan is required, with procedures for incident detection, response, recovery, and regular drills for preparedness.
7. Vendor Risk Management
Managing third-party vendor risks through regular security assessments and ensuring compliance with TPN standards is necessary to maintain a secure supply chain.
8. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Organisations must have business continuity and disaster recovery plans to ensure operational resilience and quick recovery from incidents or disasters, including redundant systems and off-site backups.
At the heart of TPN compliance, is demonstrating that you’re a trusted partner for protecting sensitive materials and data from unauthorised access and destruction. So how do you get started with getting your marketing or creative agency TPN compliant and certified?
How to Comply with TPN Criteria: A Step-By-Step Process
Complying with TPN criteria might certainly seem daunting, but it can be broken down into manageable steps:
Conduct a Self-Assessment and Identify Gaps: Understand where your current IT and cyber security practices stand in relation to TPN standards. A specialised IT support provider can be a great help in this effort.
Develop a Compliance Plan: Craft a detailed plan to address identified gaps, focusing on both immediate fixes and long-term strategies for maintaining compliance.
Implement Security Enhancements: Upgrade your IT infrastructure and implement new security protocols as needed either internally or with the help of an IT partner.
Train Your Team: Critically, ensure that your employees are well-versed in cyber security best practices and understand their role in maintaining TPN compliance.
Undergo a TPN Assessment: Apply for TPN certification and go through the formal assessment process conducted by approved assessors.
Maintain Compliance: Regularly review and update your security measures to ensure ongoing compliance with TPN standards.
How Specialist IT Service Providers Can Help
The journey to TPN compliance can seem like a herculean task. That’s where specialist IT service providers come in, offering the expertise and support needed to both simplify and speed up the process for your business.
A specialist IT service provider for TPN compliance can help in various ways, including:
Tailored Security Solutions: Designing custom IT security measures that meet TPN criteria and fit the unique needs of your business.
Compliance Auditing and Reporting: Conducting thorough audits to ensure your compliance with TPN standards and helping with the necessary documentation.
Employee Training: Providing specialised training to your team, empowering them to uphold security standards.
Ongoing Support: Offering continuous support to maintain your TPN compliance amidst evolving cyber threats.
Final Thoughts
Achieving TPN certification is not just about ticking boxes; it’s about fundamentally enhancing the security posture of your business to ensure trust with the entertainment and media industries.
In places like London and Hampshire, where the creative sector is particularly vibrant and working with clients across the globe, TPN compliance is not just advisable; it’s essential for maintaining trust and protecting your digital assets.
Remember, the path to TPN compliance, while challenging, is a journey that can transform your business’s approach to cyber security, turning potential vulnerabilities into bastions of strength. With the right mindset, a solid plan, and perhaps the aid of specialist IT service providers, TPN compliance is an achievable and rewarding goal.
Rubicon IT: Specialist Mac and PC IT Support for Marketing and Creative Agencies in London and Beyond
We’re specialists in helping businesses drive value, efficiency, and growth with assured security and compliance, using the power of technology. As holistic Managed Services Providers, we serve businesses in and around Bramley, Basingstoke, London, and Hampshire to operate seamlessly and safely so that they can focus on what they do best. Find out how Rubicon IT can unlock the potential of technology in your business by contacting us today!
