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TPN-Compliant Testing
TPN-compliant Penetration Testing
Penetration testing aligned to the Trusted Partner Network (TPN) and the MPA Content Security Best Practices, supporting media, production and post-production vendors that handle pre-release and high-value content.
Overview
Testing for content security assurance
The Trusted Partner Network is the Motion Picture Association's content-security programme, and it assesses vendors against the MPA Content Security Best Practices. The current Best Practices (v5.3.1) explicitly require penetration testing of relevant networks, systems and remote-access environments, and an independent test is the standard way to satisfy those controls.
We test the systems that handle client and pre-release content, including production and post networks, content transfer, cloud storage and remote workflows, and deliver evidence for your TPN assessment and the studios you work with.
What you'll receive
- ✓Scoping: a test plan covering your content workflow and in-scope systems
- ✓Testing: application, cloud, network and endpoint content-security coverage
- ✓Executive report: a summary for your studio and client stakeholders
- ✓Technical report: risk-rated findings mapped to MPA Content Security controls
- ✓Remediation: prioritised guidance to close content-protection gaps
- ✓Retest & evidence: a retest plus an evidence pack for your TPN assessor
Why It Matters
How testing supports TPN
Studios expect their partners to demonstrate strong content security. Independent testing evidences the security-testing and vulnerability controls behind a TPN assessment.
TPN assessment support
Evidences the vulnerability-management and security-testing controls assessed under the MPA Content Security Best Practices.
Protects pre-release content
Focuses on the systems that store, process and move high-value and pre-release media.
Application, cloud & infrastructure
End-to-end coverage of the environments involved in modern content workflows.
Studio assurance
Independent evidence you can share with the studios and clients that entrust you with their content.
What We Test
Testing aligned to MPA Content Security controls
Media portal & production application security
Authentication, authorisation and access-control testing.
Content asset management system security
Access control, upload paths and download protection.
Cloud storage security
Bucket ACLs, signed-URL abuse and public exposure risk.
Digital rights management integration
DRM bypass risks and content-protection gaps.
Network & infrastructure access control
VPN, firewall and remote-access review.
Identity & authentication review
MFA enforcement, SSO configuration and admin account control.
Workstation & endpoint access controls
Screen-recording protection and USB policy review.
Encryption in transit and at rest
TLS configuration and storage encryption coverage.
Vendor & contractor access review
Least-privilege enforcement and access lifecycle.
Logging & monitoring coverage
Audit trails for content access, upload and distribution events.
Incident detection & response readiness
Alerting gaps and containment capability review.
Remediation evidence collection
Fix validation and ongoing risk-reduction documentation.
Applicable Pentest Phases
The pentest phases behind a TPN engagement
A TPN-aligned engagement combines the assessments below across your content workflow. Each phase links to the full service.
Infrastructure Testing
Testing of production and post-production networks, covering PS-4.2 infrastructure controls.
Web Application Testing
Testing of media portals and content asset management systems.
Cloud Security Review
Review of the cloud storage and rendering environments that hold client content.
Server & End-User Device Review
Workstation and endpoint hardening review, including remote and WFH environments (TS-2.9).
Social Engineering
Phishing simulation for the teams that handle pre-release and high-value content.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does TPN require penetration testing?
Yes. The MPA Content Security Best Practices (v5.3.1) that underpin a TPN assessment include explicit penetration-testing controls. For example, PS-4.2 covers data centre, co-location and cloud infrastructure, and TS-2.9 covers remote-access and work-from-home environments. Assessors expect an independent test performed within the last 12 months; anything older is raised as a remediation item.
What are the TPN Shield tiers and how does testing help?
Under the current four-tier system, Blue Shield is a published self-assessment, Silver Shield adds a TPN-accredited third-party assessment with a remediation plan, Gold Shield means all Best Practice remediation items are completed and reviewed by TPN, and Gold Star Shield additionally covers the Additional Recommendations. An up-to-date independent penetration test closes one of the most common remediation items on the path to Gold.
Which environments are in scope?
Any system that handles client or pre-release content. That includes production and post-production networks, content transfer and storage, cloud environments and remote or work-from-home workflows. We agree the exact scope with you up front.
How often should we test for TPN?
At least annually. TPN assessors treat a penetration test older than 12 months as not meeting best practice, so it appears as a remediation item. We also recommend re-testing after significant change to in-scope systems, aligned to your TPN assessment cycle and studio requirements.
Do you provide evidence for our studio or TPN assessor?
Yes. You receive a report with risk-rated findings, remediation guidance and retest results, formatted so it can be shared as evidence with your TPN assessor and the studios you work with.
Preparing for a TPN assessment?
Talk to our consultants about scoping content-security penetration testing for TPN, or get an instant quote for your assessment.