Unhelpful advice

So many opinions and articles published on the hacking of Sony Pictures’ computer systems. Many have offered the victim gratuitous advice on how Sony should have reacted to the hacking. Almost the entirety of Hollywood has been critical of Sony’s actions, but none of them have come up with any concrete and feasible action plan or suggestions to retaliate against the perpetrator of this outrage. Assuming that pointing an accusing finger at a particular country is well founded and backed by solid evidence, there are many consequences to follow.

There appears to be little appreciation of or real sympathy for the enormous financial and reputational damage suffered by Sony. It is all very well for people to sit on the sidelines and offer unhelpful comments and suggestions when they have not undergone this pain themselves. This is like bystanders telling a person who has been run over by a hit and run truck to getup and smash that vehicle that has done him in. If the shoe were to be on the other foot, would they have acted as they pontificate to Sony? There is a very good saying that only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches!

From Mr Suresh Kabadkar

UAE

The government’s duty

I don’t think that it is in the hands of the company, it’s in the hands of the ruling government. They should take their jobs and positions seriously and not jeopardise the live of innocent citizens. Companies and employees should in turn be loyal.

From Mr Bindu Sathianesan

Dubai

Moral obligation

Corporate companies should have moral obligations to protect civilian safety. The example of the recent cancelation of the movie released through Sony Entertainment Pictures was well founded. Measuring any political climate is an important concept for corporations. Apart from entertainment, health, food and education, civilian safety is important.

From Mr Ragavan Krishnamachary

Bengaluru, India

Nothing to worry about

I think that North Korea putting out this threat was an opportunity to get media attention for their latest film. This reaction has garnered a lot of attention from around the world. I didn’t even know that this movie was coming out until this controversy began and now everyone will be lining up to see what made this movie such a big problem.

Of course, companies have a certain level of corporate responsibility to protect citizens, but in this case a company should understand that they are under the protection of their country. North Korea is full of angry rhetoric – this is what they do, but any company in the US should know the national security threat this poses on the country as a whole and why it would be in the US’ best interest to ensure an attack doesn’t happen.

From Ms Lili Maria

Dubai

Honouring responsibilities

Even the governments don’t always seem to honour their responsibilities and obligations to civilian safety. Why then should we be expecting this from companies?

From Mr Girish R. Edathitta

Dubai

Fulfilled their responsibility

Given the current situation of uncertainty and unrest across the globe, it is the foremost responsibility of every company, whether big or small, to take measures to protect and safeguard civilians. In my opinion, Sony is the best example of what is expected out of any company during times of crisis. As a globally-renowned brand, it was important for the company to cancel the release of the film after receiving threats from hackers because it concerned innocent lives. These threats cannot be ignored when civilians’ lives are put at stake. The company, by cancelling its plan to release the film, have fulfilled their corporate responsibility and shown that they are about doing good for the public and giving back to society.

From Ms Fatima Suhail

Sharjah

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