Securing Control of a High-Value Investment:
A few years ago, a client of ours acquired a 51% stake in a movie studio (unnamed for confidentiality). About six months later, the studio partnered with Sony, sparking interest from potential buyers for an acquisition exceeding $100 million.
The challenge? The original founders retained control over essential intellectual property, including passwords and server access. Our client called us to assess the situation and secure the studio’s critical assets. Within days, we conducted a thorough survey, established legal protections like indemnification and liability releases, and devised a strategy for regaining operational control.
A Strategic IT Takeover:
We began by securing the physical premises and disabling unauthorized surveillance, allowing us to work undetected. Next, we addressed network vulnerabilities by compromising unpatched firewalls, routers, and switches—gaining full control of the network by midnight.
The most critical step involved accessing the servers. Through a combination of social engineering and a brute-force attack, we obtained administrator credentials, securing all key systems without disrupting the studio’s operations, which were generating over $1 million per day.
By early morning, we had also secured international assets, including a German subsidiary’s network. Additional safeguards were implemented across security systems, card access, and fire suppression controls.
When the founders returned, we facilitated discussions with the board, resulting in leadership changes and a new commitment to operational integrity. Our client’s investment was fully protected, and the company has thrived ever since.
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