HBO is ‘working round the clock’ to address its recent hacking

PR pros who remember the data breach that spilled Sony’s sensitive information might be feeling déjà vu.

On Monday, news broke that HBO had been hacked, with at least one script from the hit series “Game of Thrones” had been released. Days later, as more data—including full episodes from the network—make the rounds online, the company is struggling to understand how deep it goes.

Entertainment Weekly originally reported that 1.5 terabytes of data were released, including episodes of the series “Ballers,” “Insecure” and “Room 104.”

On Friday, The Verge reported that the fourth episode from “Game of Thrones’” current season has leaked online.

HBO’s reaction to the hack included a staff memo that was made public.

"At this time, we do not believe that our e-mail system as a whole has been compromised, but the forensic review is ongoing," chief executive Richard Plepler wrote.

The company hasn’t given comments on the most recent developments, but Plepler issued the following statement earlier this week:

As most of you have probably heard by now, there has been a cyber incident directed at the company which has resulted in some stolen proprietary information, including some of our programming. Any intrusion of this nature is obviously disruptive, unsettling, and disturbing for all of us. I can assure you that senior leadership and our extraordinary technology team, along with outside experts, are working round the clock to protect our collective interests. The efforts across multiple departments have been nothing short of herculean. It is a textbook example of quintessential HBO teamwork. The problem before us is unfortunately all too familiar in the world we now find ourselves a part of. As has been the case with any challenge we have ever faced, I have absolutely no doubt that we will navigate our way through this successfully.

The company also initially confirmed the data breach—which also seems to include a top executive’s personal information, including health details—in an exclusive for Variety.

[RELATED: Keep your cool in a crisis with these 13 tips.]

Reporters seem intent on comparing this hack to the 2014 data breach that temporarily crippled Sony. If there are 1.5 terabytes of information out there, it’s likely that the HBO hack will be considered larger.

On Wednesday, Plepler sent the following email to staff:

As promised, I wanted to update you on our recent cyber incident and where we currently stand. There has been and will continue to be an enormous amount of speculation in the media. It is important to understand that, as is often the case, things you read may very well not be true. Many people have expressed particular concern about our e-mail system. At this time, we do not believe that our e-mail system as a whole has been compromised, but the forensic review is ongoing. We are also in the process of engaging an outside firm to work with our employees to provide credit monitoring and we will be following up with those details. Meantime, continue to do the excellent work which defines this company across all departments and know that the appropriate teams are working round the clock to manage our way through this difficult period.

We’ll probably see additional statements as HBO continues to communicate to staff and the public about the breach.

How would you advise the network to handle this crisis situation, PR Daily readers?

(Image via)

from PR Daily News Feed http://ift.tt/2hveQR2