This Assignment Requires You To Complete A Cyber Risk Mitiga

This Assignment Requires You To Complete A Cyber Risk Mitigation Strat

This assignment requires you to complete a cyber risk mitigation strategy for Sony Pictures Entertainment organization. You are required to create a risk mitigation strategy that the organization should have followed in light of the 2014 hack. Introduction: Write a brief paragraph in which you provide a high-level overview of SPE's need for a risk mitigation strategy (150 words). Vision: Outline SPE's vision of what implementing a risk mitigation strategy will ideally achieve (150 words). Strategic goals and objectives: List at least four strategic goals SPE must achieve to reduce its risks to an acceptable level, with at least two objectives under each goal that explain what must be done to achieve them (450 words). Metrics: List at least three metrics SPE will use to analyze the achievement of its goals and objectives, specific to them (150 words). Threat actors and methods of attack: Integrate your Module 2 submission, identifying at least two threat actors and describing methods of attack they could use, including the 2014 Sony hack and at least one future threat actor (550 words). Business critical assets: Identify the most essential assets to Sony’s mission, describe vulnerabilities in systems, networks, and data that risk these assets (550 words). Cybersecurity governance: Recommend a leadership plan, management process improvements, and a cybersecurity awareness training program based on previous responses (1,200 words). Protective technologies: Based on questions asked earlier and additional research, identify technologies to protect critical systems, networks, and data, including suggestions for Sony’s previous shortcomings (650 words). Legal considerations: Discuss legal considerations Sony should account for when developing the strategy and recommend steps to address past legal shortcomings (550 words). Your submission will be graded based on completeness, adherence to the brief, clarity, critical engagement, and integration of content. Ensure each section is well-developed, relevant, and thoroughly informed by course concepts and credible sources.

Paper For Above instruction

The Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) hack of 2014 represented one of the most significant cybersecurity breaches in corporate history, underscoring the critical need for robust risk mitigation strategies within large entertainment corporations. Recognizing the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, SPE needs to develop and implement a comprehensive cyber risk mitigation plan that addresses vulnerabilities, enhances cybersecurity governance, and aligns with strategic organizational goals. A resilient strategy not only protects sensitive data and critical assets but also preserves corporate reputation, ensures regulatory compliance, and sustains business continuity in the face of evolving threats. Given the alarming escalation in cyberattack frequency and complexity, it is imperative that SPE proactively adopts a layered, dynamic approach to cybersecurity, incorporating technological safeguards, governance reforms, and awareness programs to mitigate risks effectively. Such a strategic framework is essential for building a security posture that can withstand current and future cyber threats, maintaining organizational integrity and operational viability.

Embedding a vision centered on proactive resilience, SPE's risk mitigation strategy aims to create a secure digital environment that safeguards critical assets, fosters a culture of cybersecurity awareness, and ensures operational integrity. The vision envisions SPE as a leader in entertainment industry cybersecurity, known for its rigorous risk management and swift response capabilities. Through this strategy, SPE seeks to minimize the likelihood of breaches, reduce potential damages, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards. The goal is to establish a resilient infrastructure capable of detecting, preventing, and responding to cyber threats in real time, thereby maintaining stakeholder confidence and supporting long-term growth. This vision also emphasizes continuous improvement, investment in innovative technologies, and the development of a cybersecurity-aware workforce. Ultimately, SPE's strategic vision is to become an adaptive organization that anticipates threats, minimizes vulnerabilities, and swiftly recovers from incidents, thereby safeguarding its reputation and operational stability amidst a chaotic cyber landscape.

To achieve this overarching vision, SPE's strategic goals are designed to systematically reduce organizational risks to manageable levels. First, strengthening cybersecurity governance will establish clear leadership, accountability, and policies tailored to evolving threats. Objectives include appointing a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) responsible for implementing governance frameworks and ensuring regular audits of cybersecurity policies. Second, enhancing technological defenses by deploying advanced protective technologies such as next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption methods. Objectives involve conducting an infrastructure review to identify gaps and investing in automated threat detection solutions. Third, fostering a cybersecurity-aware organizational culture will involve comprehensive training and ongoing awareness campaigns to educate employees about phishing, social engineering, and data handling best practices. Objectives include mandatory security training for all staff and creating a department dedicated to continuous awareness initiatives. Fourth, establishing incident response and recovery plans will ensure swift handling of security breaches. Objectives focus on developing detailed response procedures and conducting regular drills to test readiness. These goals, with their specific objectives, form a coherent framework for reducing risks while aligning with organizational capacity and strategic priorities.

Metrics are critical for measuring progress and validating the effectiveness of SPE’s risk mitigation efforts. To gauge success in governance enhancements, the number of cybersecurity audits completed annually and policy compliance rates serve as key indicators. For technological defenses, metrics include the detection rate of intrusion attempts, mean time to detect and respond to incidents, and the percentage of infrastructure patched and updated regularly. In fostering a security-aware culture, employee training completion rates and results from simulated phishing exercises are vital. Finally, the effectiveness of incident response plans can be measured by the average time to contain breaches and the number of incidents resolved without escalation. These metrics provide quantitative insights, enabling continuous improvement, and aligning cybersecurity efforts with organizational risk appetite. Regular monitoring and reporting against these metrics will ensure that SPE can adjust its strategies proactively and maintain a resilient security posture.

Threat actors targeting SPE encompass both external adversaries such as nation-state groups and cybercriminal organizations, as well as internal threats including disgruntled employees. The 2014 Sony hack was attributed to the North Korean threat actor, Lazarus Group, using sophisticated malware such as their custom destructive malware, designed to disrupt operations and leak sensitive data (Southwick & Cutler, 2014). Lazarus employed spear-phishing campaigns to gain initial access, followed by privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network, culminating in the exfiltration of unreleased movies and confidential communications, and extensive system damage. Future threats may include organized cybercrime groups motivated by financial gain, utilizing ransomware and phishing campaigns to infiltrate SPE’s supply chain or internal systems (Kshetri, 2017). An attack vector could involve exploiting vulnerabilities in third-party vendor software or leveraging social engineering tactics targeting employees with elevated privileges. State-sponsored actors might also attempt espionage or disruption activities, employing Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) tailored to extract sensitive corporate intelligence or sabotage operations. These threat scenarios emphasize the need for robust defensive measures and threat intelligence capabilities.

SPE’s most critical assets include proprietary content such as unreleased movies, corporate financial data, employee information, and IT infrastructure supporting production and distribution processes. These assets are vulnerable to cyber threats exploiting weaknesses such as outdated software, inadequate access controls, and insufficient network segmentation. For example, unpatched servers could serve as entry points for malware, while weak passwords and lack of multifactor authentication (MFA) increase internal threat susceptibility. Insider threats pose additional risks; employees with improper access might intentionally or unintentionally compromise sensitive data. Data at rest and in transit may lack encryption, making exfiltration easier for attackers. Weaknesses in network perimeter defenses, such as outdated firewalls, can allow malware infiltration. Furthermore, inadequate monitoring and incident detection capabilities delay response times, escalating the impact of breaches. Identifying these vulnerabilities informs targeted security improvements necessary to protect SPE’s core assets, ensuring continued strategic operations and protection of intellectual property.

Effective cybersecurity governance hinges on a clear leadership structure, comprehensive management processes, and an informed workforce. A dedicated cybersecurity leadership plan should designate a CISO accountable for overarching security strategies, risk assessments, and regulatory compliance (Anderson, 2019). Management processes require regular audits, risk assessments, and adherence to international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, with continuous monitoring and reporting mechanisms. Implementing a cybersecurity steering committee comprising key stakeholders from IT, legal, HR, and executive leadership enables coordinated policy development, resource allocation, and incident response planning. A proactive management approach ensures alignment with organizational objectives while maintaining agility to respond to emerging threats. Employee engagement is vital; therefore, a cybersecurity awareness training program should be integral, covering phishing, social engineering, password hygiene, and data handling procedures—delivered regularly through interactive sessions, e-learning modules, and simulated attacks to reinforce awareness. Establishing incident response teams, conducting tabletop exercises, and fostering a culture of accountability solidify this governance structure. These elements collectively fortify SPE’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to cybersecurity threats, embedding security into organizational culture and decision-making processes.

Protective technologies constitute a critical layer in SPE’s cybersecurity defense. Based on earlier assessments and current best practices, technologies such as next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) can monitor and filter malicious traffic, while intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) identify and block suspicious activities in real time (Cheng et al., 2020). Encryption protocols—like TLS for data in transit and AES for stored data—are essential to safeguard sensitive information from eavesdropping and exfiltration. Multifactor authentication (MFA) reduces the risk of unauthorized access, particularly for privileged accounts. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can monitor devices for anomalous activities and isolate threats swiftly. Network segmentation isolates critical assets, reducing lateral movement risks. In addition, deploying security information and event management (SIEM) systems enables real-time analysis of security alerts and incident correlation. For Sony, addressing past shortcomings involved upgrading firewalls, implementing MFA, applying timely patches, and enhancing monitoring. Such technologies, combined with regular vulnerability assessments, establish a layered defense that significantly curbs cyber threats, supports regulatory requirements, and builds organizational resilience.

Legal considerations are pivotal in shaping SPE's risk mitigation strategy. The organization must ensure compliance with international, federal, and state laws, including data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (Martin, 2020). Legal review of cybersecurity policies ensures adherence to contractual obligations and intellectual property laws, especially regarding content rights and licensing. Privacy policies should clearly specify data collection, processing, and storage practices, as well as breach notification procedures aligned with legal timelines. Addressing past legal shortcomings, like inadequate breach notification protocols, can be remedied by establishing legal frameworks for rapid disclosures that mitigate liability and maintain stakeholder trust. Additionally, comprehensive contractual clauses with third-party vendors should specify security obligations, audit rights, and liability limits to minimize legal exposure. Proactive legal strategies include regular compliance audits, legal training for staff handling personal data, and establishing legal hold procedures for investigations. These steps help SPE reduce legal risks, ensure compliance, and demonstrate accountability in safeguarding critical digital assets against evolving cyber threats.