The hacking of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) computer networks and confidential databases in 2014 is considered the worst and most damaging corporate cyber terrorism attack in the history of the United States. The responsibility for the attacks was claimed by a vigilante group that called itself the Guardians of Peace (GoP), whose motive for the attack was to block the release of the movie ‘The Interview’ on December 25, 2014. The movie’s plot revolved around two journalists who get an assignment to interview North Korea’s controversial dictator Kim Jong Un and are subsequently ordered to assassinate Un during the interview. GoP’s rationale was that a global release of such an inflammatory movie would further deteriorate an already tense geo-political situation between the U.S. and North Korea and might trigger a war .
The members of GoP gained access to some of SPE’s most confidential data, including scripts of some of Sony’s big budget projects, income and salary statements of its top executives as well as large volumes of personal emails that contained disparaging remarks about some of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities and even Barack Obama. Gop threatened that if the movie was not shelved immediately, volumes of confidential and damaging data would be made public. The threats soon escalated and every individual involved with ‘The Interview’ – as well as the cinemas screening them – received threats that an attack of the severity and magnitude of 9/11 would occur if their demands were not met.
In the short-term, Sony’s immediate goal was to ensure the security and privacy of its people and information by cutting off the hackers’ access to their computer networks. All technological access points were turned off, as Sony’s top executives and employees resorted to using pen, paper, landline phones and fax machines to keep communications running. Initially, Sony’s approach was to keep the entire situation under an iron curtain; no official statements were issued clarifying the situation, nor was there any engagement with people on social media. Michael Leyton – the CEO – did not want to go on record with anything until the extent of the damage had been assessed first .
As confidential data dumping by the GoP continued, the production house’s standing within Hollywood as well as its relations with the White House became tenuous. What ensued were public apologies by Pascal and Rudin for their deprecating remarks, and Pascal eventually had to step down. When the 12 cinemas that were scheduled to screen the movie announced that they will no longer be doing so after receiving attack threats by GoP, Sony cancelled the release; it was estimated that the entire hacking incident lead to losses in the amount of a hundred million dollars . This move was criticised by almost all sections of the industry and the media and it was only when President Obama declared that instead of caving in, the production house should have gone ahead with the release, that Sony re-considered its decision. Consequently, it was decided that ‘The Interview’ would get a limited theatrical release, would be made available on movie download websites and Google would stream it as well .
However, the Sony hack turned out to be a game-changer in more ways than one. Leyton admits today that the lack of a contingency plan to deal with a cyber attack had worsened the situation and added to their losses. Neither the top management, nor the IT department was remotely prepared for what happened and as a result decision were made after-the-fact. Sony has implemented a stricter and secure network, employees have been asked to monitor their Internet usage as well as be cautious in all their internal and external communications. But Leyton is of the opinion that simply tightening their cyber security is not the complete solution. The Sony hack was not a theft, but rather an act of intimidation; so cyber crisis management policies need to be formulated and every employee must be given awareness training about what to do if a similar situation recurs.
Works Cited
Faughnder, Ryan. "A year after the hack, Sony's chief explains how Hollywood heals its wounds." LA Times 18 November 2015: 1-3. Online.
Nair, Vinita. "Sony Pictures email hack causing "big trouble," may lead to big change." CBS News 13 December 2014: 1-3. Online.
Reporter, Staff. "The Interview: A guide to the cyber attack on Hollywood." BBC News 29 December 2014: 1-4. Online.
