|
 In a letter sent to Sony on Tuesday, Elijah Cummings, the
committee's ranking minority member, said Sony's "knowledge,
information and experience" would help Congress as it examines
federal cybersecurity laws and considers whether they need to be
tightened to protect government and consumer data.
The FBI has said the cyberattack was connected to the North Korean
government, which was upset by Sony's plan this month to release
"The Interview," a comic movie in which two Americans are recruited
to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Last week, Sony canceled the film over security concerns but later
said it was still looking for ways to release it. On Monday,
Representative Brad Sherman invited the studio to screen it at the
U.S. Capitol.
In his letter, Cummings asked Sony to turn over information
including detailed descriptions of all data breaches the company has
suffered in the past year; the rough number of current and former
employees and customers affected by the breaches; and the manner in
which victims were notified.
He also sought findings from any related forensic investigations or
analyses, as well as assessments as to "why the breaches went
undetected for the length of time they did."
Cummings asked for a description of any improvements to data
protection mechanisms it has implemented since the breach, a
description of the procedures that govern the company's
relationships with third-party vendors and service providers, and
any recommendations on how to improve cybersecurity laws or law
enforcement.
[to top of second column]
|
He also requested a briefing by Jan. 19 from Sony's chief
information security officer or similar top IT executive.
In his letter, he cited reports indicating that in addition to
deploying destructive malware, the hackers stole sensitive
information, including unreleased films and the personal information
of more than 47,000 current and former employees, including social
security numbers and healthcare records.
Sherman, also a Democrat, wrote Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton to
say that a screening would demonstrate free speech.
"Everyone is talking about 'The Interview,'" he said. "I think it's
important for Congress to know, and see, what we are talking about
... Good or bad, Americans should not be deprived of the opportunity
to see this movie."
(Reporting by Mark Hosenball and Bill Trott; Editing by Susan
Heavey)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
