Digital Security for Filmmakers

_EVERY WEEK, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS FOUNDATION AND FIELD OF VISION are approached by documentary filmmakers seeking advice on digital security. These guidelines are an effort to answer filmmakers' digital security concerns, and address the needs of different risk and skill levels.

We built this guide for people working in documentary film who need to overhaul their team’s digital security practice, or pick up advanced skills. It is not designed for sources, who encounter threats we don’t address in our recommendations and guides.

Lyric Cabral, on the sensitivity of documentary projects

I generally report on subjects who are under surveillance. My subjects have included people who are going through national security cases, they have included people who are involved in federal investigations — civil rights investigations, eye witnesses to high profile crimes that are being investigated by the government.”


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Risk Assessment
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Footage Security

HOW CAN I MAINTAIN ACCESS TO MY FOOTAGE, SAFELY?
Design a workflow to secure your footage on your computer and storage devices, or in the cloud.

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Communication Security

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR PRIVATE AND SECURE COMMUNICATIONS?
When traditional communications methods leave valuable messages vulnerable to hackers and legal requests, filmmakers can make use of secure alternatives for sensitive conversations.

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Mobile Security

HOW CAN I KEEP MY MOBILE DATA SECURE?
Build a mobile security practice to keep the data on your phone secure, backed up, and hardened against malware.

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Desktop Security

HOW CAN I KEEP MY COMPUTER SECURE?
Ensure your computer is a safe space to store sensitive data with disk encryption, regular offline backups, and critical software updates.

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Travel Security

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY DATA WHILE ABROAD?
Traveling often exposes you to new risks. Secure your devices and create a communications plan before you depart.

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