North Korea hacked Sony Pictures over a comedy — and exposed the studio's secrets

In November 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment was hit by a devastating cyberattack attributed to North Korea's Lazarus Group. The hackers stole and leaked terabytes of data: employee salaries, private emails, unreleased films, and internal documents. The attack was retaliation for 'The Interview,' a Sony comedy about a plot to assassinate Kim Jong-un.

The leak was humiliating and damaging. Private emails between executives were published, revealing candid and sometimes unflattering opinions about actors and films. Employee personal data was exposed. The financial cost was estimated at over $100 million in remediation, lost revenue and legal settlements.

Sony initially cancelled the theatrical release of 'The Interview' after major theater chains refused to show it, citing security threats. The decision was widely criticized as capitulation to a foreign government's censorship. Sony reversed course and released the film online and in limited theaters. The case became a landmark in cybersecurity, free expression and state-sponsored cyber warfare.