Scattered Spider; Work to Own; Greta Gerwig | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

MGM Resorts Ransomware Attack

• A ransomware attack on MGM Resorts in Las Vegas cost the company over $100 million.
• The attack, orchestrated by a group called "Scattered Spider," involved hackers from the US, UK, and Canada who teamed up with a Russian ransomware gang.
• The attack disrupted operations at multiple MGM properties, including the MGM Grand, Aria, Mandalay Bay, New York New York, and the Bellagio.
• The attack affected slot machines, elevators, parking gates, digital door keys, reservations, and other technology-dependent systems.
• The hackers demanded $30 million to unlock MGM's data, but the company refused.
• The hackers gained access to MGM's systems through social engineering, impersonating an employee and convincing the tech help desk to reset their password.
• The attack was described as a "corporate terrorism" and a "cybercriminal version of an Oceans 11 Heist."
• MGM's competitor, Caesars, also suffered a similar social engineering attack.

Scattered Spider and the Comm

• Scattered Spider is a group of predominantly native English-speaking hackers responsible for numerous cyberattacks, including casino hacks.
• The FBI considers Scattered Spider a loose-knit web of hackers known for their social engineering skills and fluency in Western culture.
• Scattered Spider is part of a larger online criminal community known as "the Comm," which is a subculture of English-speaking youth.
• The Comm has grown significantly in recent years, with thousands of members involved in hacking companies like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Electronic Arts.
• Members of the Comm communicate and socialize on messaging apps like Telegram, often boasting about their criminal activities and displaying toxic behavior.

Scattered Spider's Partnership with Black Cat

• Scattered Spider has partnered with the notorious Russian ransomware gang Black Cat, forming a powerful alliance.
• Black Cat provides its expertise in malware and ransomware, while Scattered Spider uses its social engineering skills to infiltrate Western companies.
• This partnership has resulted in significant ransomware attacks, including the 2021 attack on Colonial Pipeline and the 2023 attack on United Health Group.

Russian Ransomware Gangs

• The Russian ransomware gangs operate like legitimate companies, offering "ransomware as a service" to affiliates like Scattered Spider.
• These gangs have a hierarchical structure, with leadership typically consisting of individuals in their late 30s or 40s.
• The Russian government provides a safe haven for ransomware gangs as long as they do not target organizations within Russia or the former Soviet Union.

The Fight Against Ransomware

• The National Security Agency (NSA) has joined the fight against ransomware gangs, recognizing the threat posed by these groups.
• The NSA helped identify the Russian hacker responsible for the Colonial Pipeline attack, and Russia arrested him and his accomplices in January 2022.
• Following the Ukraine invasion, the arrested individuals were released from jail and are now back in business.

FBI Arrests Related to Scattered Spider

• The FBI has identified a group called Scattered Spider, which is composed of young native English speakers and has partnered with black hat hackers.
• In January 2022, the FBI arrested Noah Urban, an 18-year-old from Florida, for stealing cryptocurrency and linked him to Scattered Spider.
• Two more arrests related to Scattered Spider were made in March 2022, one allegedly involved in the casino hack.

Cybersecurity Concerns

• Allison Nixon, a cybersecurity expert, believes that the level of cybercrime is increasing and becoming overwhelming.

Employee Ownership and KKR

• Pete Stavos, a private equity heavyweight, advocates for employee ownership as a way to empower and enrich workers.
• Stavos believes that the same incentives that have made CEOs wealthy should be applied to employees.
• KKR, a private equity firm, purchased Chi Overhead Doors in Arthur, Illinois, in 2015.
• Employees at Chi Overhead Doors were concerned about KKR's intentions and feared job losses.
• Private equity firms often buy businesses with the goal of improving performance and value, which can involve cuts and layoffs.
• Brad and Crystal Edwards, employees at Chi Overhead Doors, faced financial hardship due to job insecurity and took on second jobs to support their family.

KKR's Employee Ownership Program

• KKR executive Pete Stavos implemented an employee ownership program at Chi, a company acquired by KKR.
• Stavos explained the program to employees, emphasizing that it was not a charity or philanthropy, but a business strategy.
• The program aims to give employees a stake in the company, a voice in decision-making, and a sense of ownership.
• Stavos believes that employee ownership motivates workers to be more productive and improve quality.
• The program has been implemented at over 50 companies globally, including manufacturing, eCommerce, and book publishing.

Stavos's Advocacy for Employee Ownership

• Stavos believes that the traditional social contract in America is broken, with workers feeling like they have no hope for advancement.
• He argues that employee ownership is a solution to this problem, as it benefits both employees and the company.
• Stavos's interest in employee ownership stems from his working-class upbringing and his belief in the importance of worker incentives.
• Employees at Potter Global Technologies, a recent KKR acquisition, expressed enthusiasm about the program, stating that they deserve to benefit from their work.
• The program encourages employees to think like owners, leading to a change in behavior and a greater sense of responsibility.
• Pete Stavos, a private equity executive, advocates for employee ownership models where workers receive a share of the company's profits when it is sold.
• Stavos argues that this model benefits both employees and the company, as it incentivizes workers to perform well and contributes to a more engaged workforce.

Criticisms and Responses

• Stavos acknowledges that critics argue that employee ownership is a form of "greenwashing" or "whitewashing" and that it does not address the broader issue of wealth inequality.
• Stavos counters these criticisms by highlighting the tangible benefits that employees have received through his company's employee ownership program, citing examples of workers receiving significant payouts upon the sale of their company.
• Stavos emphasizes that employee ownership is not a government handout but rather a performance-based benefit that can be implemented across various industries.
• Stavos's efforts have been met with positive reception from both liberal and conservative groups, and he is actively working to promote employee ownership through his nonprofit organization and advocacy efforts.

The Success of "Barbie"

• The film "Barbie" was a box office success, grossing over a billion dollars worldwide.
• "Barbie" became Warner Brothers' highest-grossing film of all time.

Greta Gerwig's Journey to "Barbie"

• Greta Gerwig, the director of "Barbie," is known for her work on smaller independent films.
• Gerwig saw "Barbie" as a dream job but also feared it could end her career.
• The film's $100 million production budget was dwarfed by its $150 million marketing budget.
• Gerwig acknowledged the risk involved in making a film about Barbie, stating that if it failed, it would be a very public failure.
• Margot Robbie, who played Barbie in the film, bought the rights to make a "Barbie" movie and asked Gerwig to write it.
• Gerwig's partner, Noah Baumbach, was initially hesitant about the project, as he felt it lacked a clear character and story.
• Gerwig saw potential in the project, recognizing Barbie's enduring presence in popular culture and the diverse opinions she evokes.
• The film aimed to address both the positive and negative aspects of the Barbie brand, acknowledging its history and the criticisms it has faced.
• Gerwig emphasized that the film was intended to be a big-hearted comedy, despite its satirical elements.

The Making of "Barbie"

• Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach wrote the Barbie screenplay during the pandemic.
• Gerwig and Baumbach were inspired by old musicals, particularly "Funny Face" (1957).
• Gerwig wanted the Barbie and Ken characters to move like dancers.
• Gerwig convinced the studio to build a soundstage with a painted sky and backdrop to give the movie a 2D effect.
• Gerwig's direction for the scene where Lady Bird jumps out of the car was to "hurl yourself out of this car."
• Gerwig's fearless approach earned her two Oscar nominations for "Lady Bird."
• Gerwig received a third Oscar nomination for her 2019 adaptation of "Little Women."

Greta Gerwig's Background and Career

• Gerwig grew up in Sacramento and fell in love with community theater in grade school.
• Gerwig attended Barnard College and performed in school productions.
• Gerwig worked with a group of low-budget filmmakers before setting her sights on a wider audience.
• Gerwig landed roles in more than a dozen movies, some of which she helped write.
• Gerwig made the biggest leap of her career from indie darling to breakout director with "Lady Bird."
• Gerwig's "Barbie" movie has a budget more than 10 times that of "Lady Bird."
• Gerwig is still amazed that she was able to make "Barbie."

Gerwig's Directing Style

• Greta Gerwig wrote the role of Ken specifically for Ryan Gosling and included his full name in the script.
• Gerwig is known for coaxing people out of their comfort zones, as demonstrated by her encouragement of a dance studio owner to try tap dancing.
• Gerwig directed nearly 50 takes of a scene with America Ferrera, who plays a Mattel assistant and mother in the film.
• Gerwig's writing style is described as "soul-bearing monologues" that are like "a guitar solo" in their intensity.

Gerwig's Future Projects

• Gerwig is directing and writing two Chronicles of Narnia movies, which she admits are giving her nightmares.
• Gerwig is the first woman to solo direct a billion-dollar movie.
• Gerwig and her writing partner have a lot of material for a potential Ken movie.