Social Engineering in Film Production: A Hidden Threat

Social engineering is a form of psychological manipulation used to trick individuals into revealing confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. In the context of film production companies, social engineering can be especially dangerous, targeting not only sensitive scripts and intellectual property but also personal data, financial records, and access credentials.

Film productions involve large teams, tight deadlines, and a high level of confidentiality. These conditions make them ideal targets for social engineers who may pose as trusted personnel, vendors, or even celebrities to gain access to internal systems or privileged information.

A notable example is the 2014 Sony Pictures hack. Attackers used phishing emails—a common social engineering tactic—to trick employees into divulging passwords. The breach resulted in the leak of unreleased films, internal communications, and personal data, causing both reputational and financial damage.

Another common tactic is pretexting, where attackers create a fabricated scenario to gain access. For instance, someone might call a production assistant pretending to be an IT technician and request login credentials to fix a “server issue.” Given the high-pressure environment, these requests often go unchallenged.

Tailgating is another method, where an attacker physically follows a legitimate employee into a secure area, such as a soundstage or editing suite. With many freelancers and temporary crew members on set, verifying identity isn’t always a priority, creating an easy entry point for bad actors.

To combat these threats, film production companies must implement strong security protocols—like employee training, two-factor authentication, and strict visitor verification. As the industry becomes increasingly digital, awareness of social engineering risks is essential for protecting both creative work and sensitive business operations.

Nearly all social engineering fraud transfer losses can be traced back to employees being tricked to modify account information, transfer fund or initiate payment by a third party.

There is no way to fully protect against social engineering fraud. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the likelihood of a successful attack:

Culture:

• Education
• Identify what requires protection and why
• Establish two-way communication
• Empower employees to say “no” when they identify red flags

Training:

• Be aware of security issues
• Pursue anti-fraud training regularly
• Understand attack techniques
• Recognize different types of threats

Control:

• Provide employees with tools to identify a potential social engineering attack
• Ensure protocols are in place for employees to follow when moving money, changing key information, and sharing company information
• Formalize a process for employees to flag any potential engineering attack or fraudulent activity and bring to management’s attention
• Establish a documented incident response strategy to ensure employees know exactly what procedures to follow
• Act promptly and know who to seek assistance from 

Premiums are determined by several underwriting factors, such as: Annual Revenue or Gross Production Cost, and Control Measures in place at the production level.

Front Row Insurance Brokers has arranged with an insurance company for a Cyber Liability policy that can provide coverage for certain risks and exposures, such as:

• Third Party Cyber Liability Coverage – with a starting limit of $100,000 with NO Deductible
• Cyber Crime – with a starting limit of $50,000 with NO Deductible
• With premiums starting at $500.

By understanding how these attacks work, production companies can build a culture of caution and vigilance, safeguarding the stories they work so hard to tell.

For further information or an application please feel reach out to Candice at: candice@frontrowinsurance.com