Sony Hack: Top Congressional Democrat asks studio for hack details
The top Democrat on the powerful US House Oversight and Government Reform Committeehas asked Sony Pictures Entertainment to hand over details ofwhat he describes as the "devastating cyberattack" recently suffered by the Hollywood studio.
In a letter sent to Sony on Tuesday, Elijah Cummings, thecommittee's ranking minority member, said Sony's "knowledge,information and experience" would help Congress as it examinesfederal cybersecurity laws and considers whether they need to betightened to protect government and consumer data.
The FBI has said the cyberattack was connected to the NorthKorean government, which was upset by Sony's plan this month torelease "The Interview," a comic movie in which two Americansare recruited to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Last week, Sony cancelled the film over security concerns butlater said it was still looking for ways to release it. OnMonday, Representative Brad Sherman invited the studio to screenit at the U.S. Capitol.
In his letter, Cummings asked Sony to turn over informationincluding detailed descriptions of all data breaches the companyhas suffered in the past year; the rough number of current andformer employees and customers affected by the breaches; and themanner in which victims were notified.
He also sought findings from any related forensicinvestigations or analyses, as well as assessments as to "whythe breaches went undetected for the length of time they did." Cummings asked for a description of any improvements to dataprotection mechanisms it has implemented since the breach, adescription of the procedures that govern the company'srelationships with third-party vendors and service providers,and any recommendations on how to improve cybersecurity laws orlaw enforcement.
He also requested a briefing by Jan. 19 from Sony's chiefinformation security officer or similar top IT executive.
In his letter, he cited reports indicating that in additionto deploying destructive malware, the hackers stole sensitiveinformation, including unreleased films and the personalinformation of more than 47,000 current and former employees, including social security numbers and healthcare records.
Sherman, also a Democrat, wrote Sony Pictures CEO MichaelLynton to say that a screening would demonstrate free speech."Everyone is talking about 'The Interview,'" he said. "Ithink it's important for Congress to know, and see, what we aretalking about ... Good or bad, Americans should not be deprivedof the opportunity to see this movie."
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Sony Hack: Top Congressional Democrat asks studio for hack details