Information Warfare: Cyberattacks on Sony (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Jan. 30, 2015 |
| Report Number |
IN10218 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Theohary, Catherine A. |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In the run-up to the scheduled Christmas Day release of The Interview, a film depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea's Foreign Ministry called the film 'the most blatant act of terrorism and war' and threatened a 'merciless countermeasure.' On November 24, Sony experienced a cyberattack that disabled its information technology systems, destroyed data,and released internal emails. North Korea denied involvement in the attack, but praised hackers, called the 'Guardians of Peace,' for having done a 'righteous deed.' [â¦] On November24, Sony experienced a cyberattack that disabled its information technology systems, destroyed data,and released internal emails. North Korea denied involvement in the attack, but praised hackers, called the 'Guardians of Peace,' for having done a 'righteous deed.' Emails followed, threatening '9/11-style'terrorist attacks on theaters scheduled to show the film, leading some theaters to cancel screenings and for Sony to cancel its widespread release, although U.S. officials claimed to have 'no specific,credible intelligence of such a plot.'
