A company specializing in cybersecurity finds North Korea may not be responsible for the hacking of Sony after all. Investigative work by Norse raises the possibility that one of the worst cases of corporate espionage involving the Internet was an inside job.
If true, the investigation would prove the FBI wrong, leave President Obama with egg on his face, and be a major embarrassment for Sony. A company spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
A Norse spokesman confirms their research shows a former employee may have been instrumental in the release of mounds of Sony data, including sensitive emails and other company documents. Whoever is responsible for the release of the information could then have worked to make it appear as if North Korea was responsible.
According to Kurt Stammberger, one of the company's senior vice president's, the investigation found links to a former Sony employee. Identified only as "Lena," the worker is said to have left the company back in May after having worked for Sony for ten years or more.
CBS News was the first to carry the story nationally:
In addition, CBS News aired an interview this week by a former Anonymous hacker turned FBI informant who says it's a long shot to think North Korea could have pulled off the job.
Hector Monsegur says the hack involved to much data to have gone unnoticed by Sony and those responsible for threats agains the company could have easily made it appear North Korea was at fault.
There is reported to have been a demand for money from Sony before the alleged hackers went public with confidential company correspondence.
The FBI is said to be continuing its investigation into what is turning into a crime possibly worth tens of millions of dollars.
You'll remember that theater owners say they were forced to cancel the Christmas premiere of "The Interview" over worries of a terrorist attack. Then Sony all together pulled the plug on the release, only now reversing itself.
Besides throwing Hollywood into a frenzy over inside information with regard to movie studios business, the revelations have drawn international condemnation of North Korea and its dictator who have maintained their innocence.