A system and method is arranged to provide compression and decompression of digital content in a secure manner. The system is configured to authenticate a source of the digital content, and to further determine a consumer's entitlements and rights for access to the digital content. Based upon the determined entitlements and rights for access, the system is directed to decrypt, and decompress the digital content. In one embodiment, a component of the system is enabled to establish a trust relationship with at least one other component of the system, to minimize an opportunity for piracy of the digital content. In another embodiment, a secure clock is directed to provide protection against hackers that may employ an in-circuit emulator, or the like.