Global Content Security fortified as TPN introduces an advanced Shield Tier System in its upcoming launch
Trusted Partner Network (TPN) Introduces Next-Generation Shield Tier System
The Trusted Partner Network (TPN), a global content security initiative backed by major studios such as Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery, is set to launch a next-generation four-tier Shield system on September 9, 2025[1][2][4]. This new system aims to enhance transparency and elevate security standards across the media and entertainment supply chain.
The new Shield tiers are:
- Blue Shield: Completion and publication of a self-assessment by the service provider.
- Silver Shield: Completion of the assessment plus submission of a remediation plan. This tier replaces the former Classic Gold tier.
- Gold Shield: All Best Practice remediation items have been completed and reviewed by TPN's SecOps team.
- Gold Star Shield: All Best Practice and Additional Recommendations are completed and reviewed by TPN's SecOps team.
This structure replaces the earlier two-tier (Blue and Gold) system and reflects a service provider’s current security maturity and remediation progress[1][2][5].
The benefits and objectives of the new Shield system include providing clearer visibility for content owners into vendors' security readiness and progress, increasing transparency of remediation status, enabling faster and more informed decision-making by content owners, offering scalable recognition of security maturity with incentives for continuous improvement, and aligning better with evolving global piracy and security threats in media[1][2].
The new tiers will go into effect with the release of TPN+ version 5.3.1 questionnaires and assessments. Shield statuses will be prominently displayed in the TPN+ Registry. Existing Classic Gold Shield statuses remain valid until their expiration. Gold and Gold Star statuses require review and approval by the TPN SecOps team before awarding[1][2][4][5].
It's important to note that there is no change to membership costs or current membership levels due to this new tier system; it strictly updates how security status is classified and communicated[3].
The new Shield model introduces two new tiers, Silver and Gold Star, which build on the legacy of the Classic Gold Shield. The Silver Shield tier indicates that an assessment has been completed, and a remediation plan has been submitted (formerly known as Classic Gold). The Gold Shield tier signifies that all Best Practice remediation items have been completed and reviewed by TPN. The Gold Star Shield tier is the highest level, where all Best Practice and Additional Recommendations are completed and reviewed by TPN's SecOps team[1][2].
The next-gen Shield tiers offer increased transparency of remediation progress, enabling faster, more informed decision-making for content owners. They also provide scalable recognition of security maturity, offering incentives for continuous improvement. The four-tier system reflects a Service Provider's current security status, replacing the legacy classic Blue and Gold Shield designations[1][2].
For more information about the new Shield tiers and updated TPN+ Platform, visit www.ttpn.org.
[1] TPN Press Release, 2023. [2] TPN Blog Post, 2024. [3] TPN FAQ, 2025. [4] TPN Email Communication, 2025. [5] TPN Technical Documentation, 2025.
- The Trusted Partner Network (TPN) will introduce a next-generation four-tier Shield system on September 9, 2025, aimed at enhancing transparency and elevating security standards across the media and entertainment supply chain.
- The new Shield tiers are separated into Blue, Silver, Gold, and Gold Star levels, with each tier representing a service provider's current security maturity and remediation progress.
- The Silver Shield tier, replacing the former Classic Gold tier, indicates that an assessment has been completed, and a remediation plan has been submitted.
- The Gold Shield tier signifies that all Best Practice remediation items have been completed and reviewed by TPN's SecOps team, while the Gold Star Shield tier is the highest level, requiring all Best Practice and Additional Recommendations to be completed and reviewed by TPN's SecOps team.
- The new Shield model better aligns with evolving global piracy and security threats in media, providing clearer visibility for content owners into vendors' security readiness and progress, increasing transparency of remediation status, and offering scalable recognition of security maturity with incentives for continuous improvement.
