Sony Pictures Recovering from Computer Attack

Sony Pictures Recovering from Computer Attack

A Nov. 24 computer breach left Sony Pictures Entertainment employees using pens, paper and fax machines to handle their work. Some computer systems crucial to business operations are online, while employee email access was expected back earlier this week, according to a report.

“Sony Pictures continues to work through issues related to what was clearly a cyberattacks last week,” the studio said in a statement. “The company has restored a number of important services to ensure ongoing business continuity and is working closely with law enforcement officials to investigate the matter.”

An attack by a group who calls themselves Guardians of Peace resulting in the pirating of DVD copies of at least five new and upcoming movies. The films include “Fury,” “Annie,” “Still Alice,” “Mr. Turner” and “To Write Love on Her Arms.”

“This is an epic fail on the part of Sony,” said Stu Sjouwerman, chief executive of the cybersecurity training company KnowBe4. “They haven’t stepped to a level of protection they should have.”

Sony has enlisted Mandiant, a cyberforensics unit of the security firm FireEye, to assist in the search of the hackers.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

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