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Content Creation · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Digital Security and Content Protection

In the digital age, piracy is the biggest competitor. This course focuses on the cybersecurity measures required to protect Intellectual Property (IP). Students will learn how to prevent pre-release leaks, secure production communications, and understand the technologies behind Digital Rights Management (DRM) and watermarking. The curriculum balances technical security with the legal frameworks of copyright enforcement.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Understand the threat landscape: Hackers, Leakers, and Pirates
  2. Master "Digital Hygiene" for production crews (2FA, Encrypted Messaging)
  3. Analyze Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems (Widevine, FairPlay)
  4. Implement Forensic Watermarking to trace leaks to the source
  5. Navigate the legal process of Takedown Notices (DMCA) and Anti-Piracy enforcement
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01The Economics of Piracy
  2. 02Pre-Release Security: Script & Asset Protection
  3. 03Cyber Hygiene: Passwords, Phishing, & 2FA
  4. 04Secure Communication Tools (Signal/PGP)
  5. 05Physical Security on Set (The "Red Room")
  6. 06Introduction to DRM (Digital Rights Management)
  7. 07Encryption Standards (AES) for Media
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Watermarking: Visible vs. Forensic
  10. 10Copy Protection: HDCP & Encrypted Streams
  11. 11Anti-Piracy Operations: Crawlers & Takedowns
  12. 12Blockchain for Rights Management
  13. 13The Dark Web & Warez Scene
  14. 14Legal Enforcements: DMCA & Cease/Desist
  15. 15Crisis Management: Handling a Leak
  16. 16Final Project: The Production Security Audit

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Production Security Audit

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Cybersecurity for Dummies by Chey Cobb
  2. Digital Rights Management: The Analyst's View
  3. Understanding Digital Rights Management by Joan Van Tassel
  4. The Art of Invisibility by Kevin Mitnick
  5. Information Security Management Principles
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