Sony Corporation: Network Is Still Down Following ‘The Interview’ Hack

Sony’s film division says its computer network is still down more than six weeks after being hit by a massive computer hack. Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton told the Associated Press on Thursday that the cyberattack hasn’t impacted the company’s film and TV schedule.

The network should be back up by the end of January, according to the report. In the meantime, Sony Pictures’ employees are still being paid by paper check.

The Sony hack was likely the largest cyberattack ever to occur on American soil, experts say, by hackers who eventually claimed the attack was a response to the production of “The Interview,” a comedy film that depicted the fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Sony canceled the theatrical release of the film, later offering it for rental through Internet video services. Lynton told the AP that Sony priced “The Interview” at $5.99, lower than the typical cost of renting a new film online at $9.99 or more to avoid claims that it was gouging prices.

The experiment was a minor success, but Sony Pictures is unlikely to move to the format exclusively. Lynton told the AP that theatrical releases were important, especially for comedies since people enjoy sharing the experience of laughter.

The FBI along with cybersecurity company Mandiant, a subsidiary of FireEye Inc., came to Sony sometime in the first week following the attack. The FBI trained Sony employees on identity theft after access to personal data on thousands of current and former workers was stolen and made public.

Sony's losses due to the cyberattack were still being calculated, but Lynton told the AP that they would not be “disruptive to the economic well being of the company.” He added that most of the investigative work occurring on company property was completed, while remaining teams of technicians were working to bring Sony Pictures back online.