It’s no secret the coronavirus pandemic has dramatically altered the fragile ecosystem that we call the entertainment industry. While live-action filming has come to an almost complete standstill, as the old adage goes: the show must go on. Currently, animation is booming, post-production including video editing continues, and new ideas are hatched every day. But with creatives now forced to work from home, issues have arisen, particularly around cybersecurity.

Certainly post-production security has been a problem in the entertainment industry since, well, forever -- and much of the time it is handled by the studios or production companies themselves. Now, having your creative team unable to meet in person over lattes and scones means decision-making and collaboration is more difficult than ever. But crucial meetings such as reviewing edits, brainstorming storylines, or discussing visual concepts cannot simply be abandoned.

Many have switched to remote video conferencing, but the question remains: are these meetings really secure?

The answer lies in your computer setup, how it’s connected to the internet, and what type of meeting application is being used. Here are a handful of tips to protect your network and creative content from cyber attacks and unauthorized access. (You can thank us later.)

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Tip #1: Scan your computers and drives

Truth: every computer system that has been connected to the internet is a potential carrier of malware or viruses. To make sure yours is not already compromised or infected, use antivirus software to scan your hard drives. We recommend Avast or Malwarebytes, both of which have free as well as paid options. Be sure to keep them running in the background at all times!

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Tip #2: Install all software/hardware/firmware updates

We get it: you’re used to your programs or operating system and hate change. But these updates also fix any security vulnerabilities that have been found and exploited. So, always say “yes” to any and all updates (and have them set to update automatically if you can).

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Tip #3: Re-configure your router

Many people don’t even think about the security of their own router/wi-fi network, which most likely is using the default password. (Right?) Instead, switch from WEP to WPA2 or 3 and restrict incoming as well as outgoing data. For a more detailed breakdown on ensuring home network security, check out securing your wireless router and wifi network from Comparitech.

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Tip #4: Use a secure collaboration platform for remote work 

Since most production offices are closed, you’ve got to have some way to connect securely from other locations and on personal devices. Evercast has not only been approved by all the major studios and OTT content providers, but it also offers the convenient combination of video conferencing along with HD-streaming and full-spectrum audio. That means you can stream your workflow and collaborate in real time with near zero-latency (200ms), basically imperceptible to others in the meeting. It’s perfect for collaboration on visual media as it gives everyone the ability to create time-stamped notes and even draw on the screen.

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