Should Sony Be Taken To Task For Their Repeated Security Issues
The last few weeks have seen the news filled with stories about computer hacks and information leaks. The notorious attack on Sony regarding “The Interview” and the loads of sensitive data stolen and released have shown a serious lack of security in online networks.
I understand that there are different forms of cyber attacks and that hacking and other directed attacks due differ. A hack is a subversive attack used to obtain or view data and that ddos and such are directed attacks for the sake of disrupting systems but for the sake of clarity, we will refer to this as an electronic attack in this article.
While I understand that no system on the planet is beyond being hacked by determined individuals with skill and resources, I do have to ask why Sony keeps being targeted.
Before I get lambasted for this article, I do want to point out that we are owners of the Sony consoles, the last two at launch and have been called Sony Fanboys from Xbox and Nintendo fans for our stated preference for their systems.
It would be easy to say it was in response to “The Interview”, but Sony has had a history of being the victim of cyber attacks, notably the one that compromised their Playstation accounts and released the sensitive data of millions of customers online.
In light of recent attacks, it seems deeply concerning that the Playstation and Xbox networks were attacked over Christmas and as of this writing, the Playstation network is still not operating properly.
Knowing that they are a target makes me wonder if Sony is doing enough to protect the privacy of their data and customers. They know they are a target and have been repeatedly targeted, but yet this happens to them again and again.
Look at it this way, the motives of the attackers involved are various but time and again they go after Sony. If a person has the skill to do an attack on the level of the Sony attacks, are there not other targets that would be as tempting?
Take Disney for example. With scripts and plans for the new “Star Wars” and Marvel films as well as countless other projects available, that information would be a highly tempting target, as would information from Paramount, FOX, and other studios.
So I have to ask why have these companies been able to keep their information while Sony is compromised time and again.
Either the attackers do not consider the other companies information worth the effort or they have security that makes them to difficult to attack.
I would find it hard to believe that Sony does not take security seriously in the wake of such attacks, and this makes me wonder if this could be the work of disgruntled insiders at Sony as some believe that it would take a deep knowledge of the systems and security in order to target such a deep and crippling attack.
Regardless of the who, what, where, when, and why of the attack, it is clear that Sony has and continues to be a major target and as such needs to do a better job with security as the attacks are happening far too often and consumers can only be expected to be so patient and understanding especially when the nature of their personal information is at hand.
I was very understanding when the first attack happened as my thoughts were that no company should be held to task for the work of some individuals with malicious intent. That being said, it is clear that Sony will continue to be a target and one has to wonder if they have done, and are doing enough to maintain the security of their systems.
I believe they are as there is nothing that companies can do in an age where electronic attacks are commonplace. If a person or group wants to get at information and they have the time, skill, and resources to do so, then this sort of thing will continue to happen. Hence why I will continue to happily be a Playstation + subscriber.
About the Author
gareth Syndicated movie & game critic, writer, author and frequent radio guest. His work has appeared in over 60 publications worldwide and he is the creator of the rising entertainment site and publication “Skewed and Reviewed”. He has three books of film, game reviews and interviews published and is a well-received and in demand speaker on the convention circuit. Gareth has appeared in movies and is a regular guest on a top-rated Seattle morning show. He has also appeared briefly in films such as “Prefountaine”, “Postal”. “Far Cry”. and others. Gareth is also an in-demand speaker at several conventions and has conducted popular panels for over two decades.
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