Sony Hack's Presidential Response
The White House is clearly not impressed with independent analysis that the hacking of Sony's computer network is linked to a former employee.
The Administration, in issuing new sanctions, flat out blames North Korea for the attack that disabled Sony's network of computers:
Last month's cyber attack shook the technology sector by shutting down Sony's computer network, forcing the movie studio to cancel the premiere of "The Interview," and leading to the release of confidential company correspondence.
Internet security experts then questioned the hermit kingdom's ability to carry out such a sophisticated attack. Some claimed a former Sony employee may be ultimately responsible for the data breach.
In announcing the new sanctions, President Obama's letter to congressional leaders cites "activities that threaten the United States and others."
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew's statement on Friday focused on holding North Korea "accountable for its destructive and destabilizing conduct." The executive order adds to existing sanctions by directing the Treasury Department to cut off access to the U.S. financial sector for 10 individuals and three North Korean government entities.
The crippling attack on Sony's U.S. computer network came as it prepared to release "The Interview," a parody of North Korea's young leader and a comedic plot to assassinate him.
The company that appears to have taken the lead it questioning the U.S. response to the hack attack is laying low.
Kurt Stammberger, with the cybersecurity firm Norse, issued a "no comment" this weekend when asked to respond to the President's executive order.
The Daily Beast reports that unnamed officials have told them that "investigators have also been privately sharing some of their findings with private cyber security companies that also have invested several years in monitoring North Korean hacker groups in an effort to help vet their case and bolster their claims."
The President's executive order is the first official U.S. response to the attack and follows a still unexplained shutdown of North Korea's limited Internet service.
The attack has helped put cybersecurity at the forefront of U.S. and corporate interests at the start of the New Year.
