2014 Sony Pictures Hack

Case Study
2014 Sony Pictures Hack Case Study

• Title Slide
• Agenda
• Background & Context
• Attack Timeline
• Attack Methodology
• Tools & Techniques Used
• Data Stolen
• Immediate Impact
• Financial & Legal Consequences
• Attribution & Motivation
2014 Sony Pictures Hack Case Study

• Sony’s Response
• Root Causes
• Lessons Learned
• Future Steps
• Summary Table
• Conclusion
Title Slide

• Case Study Overview: Examines the 2014 Sony

Pictures hack through detailed analysis of its
sequence and impact.
• Phishing Techniques: Investigates how phishing
tactics were employed to infiltrate Sony's
network, enabling the breach.
• Lessons in Cybersecurity: Highlights critical
strategies and best practices derived from the
incident for future cybersecurity resiliency.

Generated on AIDOCMAKER.COM
Agenda

• Attack Timeline Insights: Chronological breakdown of the incident, noting critical moments that
accelerated the hack's impact.
• Financial & Legal Ramifications: Evaluation of monetary losses and legal challenges Sony faced post-
attack, impacting operational stability.
• Root Causes Analysis: Investigates systematic vulnerabilities within Sony's cybersecurity framework that
facilitated the breach occurrence.
Background & Context

• Overview of Sony Pictures: Sony Pictures, a major film and television production company, plays a crucial
role in global entertainment.
• Controversy of 'The Interview': 'The Interview' sparked significant backlash from North Korea, igniting
international discussions on creative freedom.
• North Korea's Threats: Prior to the hack, North Korea issued public threats in response to perceived
injustices related to the film.
Attack Timeline

• Phishing Attack Initiation: September 2014

marks the initial phishing attack that
compromised Sony's network security protocols.
• Wiper Malware Deployment: On November 24,
2014, wiper malware was activated, targeting
critical data and infrastructure within Sony.
• Data Breaches Unfold: December 2014
experienced significant data leaks, spreading
confidential information across various platforms
and media.

Generated on AIDOCMAKER.COM
Attack Methodology

• Spear-Phishing Emails: Attackers crafted convincing emails to trick employees into revealing their
credentials, facilitating initial access.
• Credential Harvesting: Fake login pages were used to capture user credentials, further enabling
unauthorized access to systems.
• Lateral Movement: Once inside, attackers navigated the internal network to escalate their privileges and
access sensitive data.
Tools & Techniques Used

• Wiper Malware Usage: The attackers utilized sophisticated wiper malware to erase critical data, disrupting
Sony's operations extensively.
• Social Engineering via LinkedIn: Using targeted LinkedIn profiling, attackers manipulated employees,
enhancing the effectiveness of their social engineering strategies.
• Stealthy Data Exfiltration: Data exfiltration was conducted stealthily, allowing attackers to siphon off
sensitive information without detection.
Data Stolen

• Types of Stolen Data: More than 100 TB of data

was stolen including emails, unreleased films,
and contracts.
• Personal Identifiable Information: The breach
compromised personal identifiable information
(PII) of numerous Sony Pictures employees,
heightening risks.
• Impact on Company Assets: Critical intellectual
property and organizational assets were targeted,
severely affecting Sony's market position and
reputation.

Generated on AIDOCMAKER.COM
Immediate Impact

• Operational Disruption: Seventy percent of Sony's computers were wiped, halting production and
crippling operational workflow capabilities.
• Business Interruptions: Production activities were suspended, resulting in significant delays and financial
losses for the organization.
• Reputational Harm: Leaked emails caused substantial reputational damage, leading to public scrutiny and
loss of stakeholder trust.
Financial & Legal Consequences

• Direct Recovery Costs: The hack led to over $15 million spent on recovery efforts, impacting overall
financial stability.
• Legal Settlements: Approximately $8 million was allocated to legal settlements, resulting from lawsuits
following the data breach.
• Piracy Losses: Additional losses were incurred due to film piracy, exacerbated by the leak of unreleased
content.
Attribution & Motivation

• Attribution to North Korea: The US government

attributed the attack to North Korea, citing
motives of political retaliation and cyber warfare.
• Retaliation for 'The Interview': The attack was
perceived as retaliation against Sony for
producing 'The Interview', a controversial film
depicting North Korea.
• North Korea's Denial: Despite US claims, North
Korea vehemently denied involvement, asserting
their innocence amid international scrutiny.

Generated on AIDOCMAKER.COM
Sony’s Response

• Engagement with Agencies: Sony collaborated with FireEye and the FBI to investigate and remediate
vulnerabilities post-breach.
• Multi-Factor Authentication: Implementation of multi-factor authentication significantly bolstered Sony's
security framework against future breaches.
• Leadership Changes: Sony underwent leadership restructuring to enhance accountability and focus on
cybersecurity strategy improvements.
Root Causes

• Password Management Issues: Weak and reused passwords significantly contributed to unauthorized
access, necessitating improved password hygiene practices.
• Network Segmentation Failures: Poor network segmentation allowed attackers to traverse systems easily,
highlighting the need for better isolation strategies.
• Patch Management Delays: Delays in applying security patches left vulnerabilities unaddressed,
underscoring the importance of timely updates.
Lessons Learned

• Phishing Awareness Training: Implementing

comprehensive training programs can
significantly reduce susceptibility to phishing
schemes and strengthen defenses.
• Strong Password Policies: Enforcing complex
password requirements minimizes unauthorized
access risks, enhancing overall organizational
cybersecurity posture.
• Zero Trust Architecture: Adopting a zero trust
model ensures verification at every access point,
mitigating the potential impact of breaches.

Generated on AIDOCMAKER.COM
Future Steps

• AI-Powered Threat Detection: Integrating AI enhances threat detection capabilities, rapidly identifying
anomalies and potential security breaches.
• Vendor Risk Management: Implementing vendor risk management ensures third-party compliance with
security standards, mitigating associated cybersecurity risks.
• Cyber Insurance Acquisition: Obtaining cyber insurance provides financial protection, aiding recovery
efforts in the wake of security incidents.
Summary Table

• Attack Vector Identified: Phishing tactics exploited to infiltrate the organization's defenses, marking
weaknesses in employee training protocols.
• Malware Overview: A destructive wiper malware was deployed, erasing vast amounts of critical data and
operational functionality.
• Significant Data Volume: More than 100 TB of sensitive data exfiltrated, emphasizing the severity and
impact of the cyber breach.
Conclusion

• Turning Point for Cyber Warfare: The Sony hack

marked a significant shift in cybersecurity,
influencing national security discussions and
prevention measures.
• Ongoing Training Necessity: Continuous
education and training are crucial to empower
employees in recognizing and mitigating cyber
threats.
• Enhancing Incident Response Strategies:
Effective incident response capabilities must
evolve regularly to adapt to constantly changing
cyber threat landscapes.

Generated on AIDOCMAKER.COM