by Gemima Croft
Even multi-billion dollar industries and businesses such as those in Hollywood often struggle with security breaches. Here is how security threats affect Hollywood behind the curtains.
Cybersecurity Attacks in Hollywood
You may have watched many Hollywood movies about hackers and futuristic technology. Did you ever stop to think whether the fictional cyber disasters could ever come true?
In reality, Hollywood is fighting its battle against cybercrime every day, even though many don’t see it. Here are the three biggest cybersecurity attacks in Hollywood that shine some light on how fragile the industry can get.
#1 Sony Pictures in 2014
Back in 2014, Sony Pictures suffered a massive cyberattack as a response to one of their productions. Namely, the Sony hack was a result of the release The Interview, a satirical comedy, centered around the killing of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Naturally, North Koreans were not happy about this plot, and they requested the release to be canceled.
After refusing to act upon this request, Sony’s systems got hacked, and their data was leaked to the public. Sony also received warnings, including 9/11-like threats, urging to cancel the movie. In the end, they didn’t screen the film because of it.
It is one of the most significant examples of how digital assets can make Hollywood vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.
#2 Netflix Ransomware in 2016
Netflix also suffered from a cyberattack back in 2016. Hackers threatened to leak one of their most popular shows at the time. Namely, the hackers pulled a classic ransomware attack. They requested that Netflix pay a large sum of money, or else they leak unseen episodes of Orange is the New Black. Netflix had to meet the ransom demand, or else they would have been facing far greater losses.
Again, it goes to show how corporate accounts can be vulnerable. There is no room for weak links in the system. And the most significant weak links in such a vast network are always the employees. That’s why they should be using antivirus, VPN, and other encryption services to ensure proper security is in place. Download it here.
#3 The HBO Breach
And, of course, let’s not forget about the massive HBO breach where hackers were able to get 1.5 terabytes of data. It included sensitive information on production dates, filming locations, and even personal data of stars who participated in the production of the Game of Thrones series.
It was a big blow for HBO since they lost more than just valuable data. Their reputation was damaged, and the company faced the risk of lawsuits from the stars whose data was involved in the incident.
Cybersecurity in Hollywood
Hollywood has always been one of the prime targets on hackers’ lists. The stakes are high, which means there is more money to make off each attack.
Usually, cybercriminals use phishing, ransomware, and data theft as their go-to methods when dealing with the production and entertainment industry. Since each production is a gold mine of valuable data, there is plenty of material for them to exploit.
The whole concept of cybersecurity threats affects businesses in Hollywood. Not only do these attacks end up costing a lot of money, but they also lead to cancelled projects, angry stars, and damaged reputations. The biggest productions invest millions into data security, but hackers can always find a weak link in the system.
Anyone can become a potential weak link that leads to a security incident. That’s why businesses in Hollywood (and everywhere else) must educate their employees on potential threats and most relevant security measures.
Being alert and protecting personal devices is the key step to ensuring security. There can never be enough data encryption put in place, especially when dealing with highly sensitive information.
