(Source – techinasia.com)
The Walt Disney Company has announced that it will discontinue the use of Slack for internal communication following a significant security breach in July that resulted in more than a terabyte of sensitive company data being leaked. The decision comes as part of a broader shift toward new collaboration tools across Disney’s business units. According to a memo from Disney Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston, obtained by CNBC, most of the company will stop using Slack by the end of its next fiscal quarter.
Data Breach Prompts Transition to New Communication Tools
The Disney hack that prompted this decision exposed a wide range of sensitive information, including financial details, computer codes, and information about unreleased projects. Despite the gravity of the breach, Disney assured investors in August that the data leak would not significantly impact the company’s operations or financial performance.
In response to the security concerns, Disney had already begun implementing new “streamlined enterprise-wide collaboration tools” before formally notifying employees and cast members on Thursday about the full transition away from Slack. The memo outlines that the change will affect most of Disney’s business units by the end of the company’s next fiscal quarter.
While Disney has decided to move away from Slack, the company continues to use other Salesforce products, including its services for Disney’s stores, call centers, sales, and service operations.
Salesforce CEO Responds to Security Concerns
Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, the parent company of Slack, addressed the Disney hack during an interview at Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce conference this week. Benioff defended Salesforce’s security protocols, describing them as “rock-solid.” He emphasised that while Salesforce can ensure strong cybersecurity measures, companies must also take steps to prevent incidents like phishing attacks and social engineering, which can compromise their systems.
“We can do our part, but our customers also have to do their part,” Benioff said, highlighting the shared responsibility between service providers and their clients when it comes to safeguarding data.
Neither Disney nor Salesforce responded to requests for further comments, but Benioff stressed that despite Disney’s move away from Slack, the entertainment giant continues to rely on other Salesforce tools for various aspects of its business operations.
As Disney transitions to its new communication platforms, the company is focusing on reinforcing its cybersecurity measures to prevent future breaches and maintain the trust of its stakeholders. The shift marks a significant move in how Disney manages internal communication and collaboration across its global workforce, as it prioritises security in the wake of the recent Disney hack.
