In this age where data can easily be held hostage and used as a ransom, it was an interesting story that quickly developed around Sony’s film The Interview. This has been floating around the headlines a bit so if you’ve missed it, Sony recently had a data breach – a group calling itself the “Guardians of Peace” is claiming responsibility.
There was a good amount of data exposed, but part of this breach included threats against the company and consumers if the film The Interview was released. After this came to light, premieres were cancelled and a few key theater chains pulled the movie from their schedules, then Sony officially cancelled the theatrical release of the film as well as any plans for VOD or DVD release. How and if Sony will recoup that forty-two million dollar spend isn’t determined at this time.
It’s a tough position for Sony to be in right now. On one side, you don’t want to have to succumb to demands, but on the other, the threat had to be taken seriously. If they had gone through with the release of their film, The Interview, and an incident occurred, they risk more backlash. Is it worth the risk? At the end of the day, it is just a film.
This has been an interesting turn of events and it’ll be interesting to see what ramifications this will have on the entertainment industry and other industries in the future. The Interview isn’t the first film to be shelved (here’s a list if you’re curious) but it definitely stands apart being shelved under these circumstances.
Data security isn’t something that should ever be taken lightly. Information protection regardless whether it’s for personal or professional use, should always be a priority. Having a backup of your data is one thing, but it’s smart to have a backup of your backup. Technology is a great tool, but it’s far from perfect. Even when you think you have good safety protocols in place and make sure you’re following these tips:
- Have protective software in place – make sure your firewall is secure and your anti-virus software is up-to-date.
- Have a strong password – and change it regularly. Try something with at least 8 numbers, letters and special characters.
- Backup – Yes, we said this already, but 25% of people have never backed up their computer. That’s inviting trouble.
- Stay educated – technology is constantly evolving. It’s important to keep abreast on what’s happening, when and even why.
The story of The Interview has been an interesting one to watch. What happened to Sony already happened to Apple and could easily happen to you. The first line of defense in data protection is to stay ahead of the game and protect yourself.
EDITOR’S NOTE – This article was written prior to Sony’s release of the film. Now that the film has release through various sources, have you seen it? Was it worth the hype?
