Whatever you think about the Sony hacking scandal, it is undeniably a terrorist cyberattack, which will have serious repercussions in Hollywood. What is the government doing about this?

As consumers of entertainment, we have scoffed at the leaked Sony email exchanges, and giggled at Channing Tatum’s Ghostbusters proposal. And, when the GoP hacking group threatened 9/11-style attacks on moviegoers, we were afraid.

But when Sony cancelled The Interview, Seth Rogen’s North Korea comedy that provoked the attacks, everyone from George R.R. Martin to Joss Whedon have denounced the studio, even calling them cowards, for bowing to terrorist demands and limiting our rights of expression.

However, the fact of the matter is that until the hacking group is found and stopped, movie studios and cinema chains have reason to be afraid. Whether or not the threats of physical violence are viable, the cyberattacks definitely are.

So what is the government doing to stop the Guardians of Peace?

Variety reports that the Obama administration is treating the Sony breach as a “serious national security matter.”

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Thursday that various measures are being considered to combat the threat; top members of Obama’s security team are having daily meetings to discuss the situation.

While it is widely believed that North Korea is behind the attacks, Earnest would not yet confirm this. He merely said that the investigation is “progressing” at the FBI and Justice Department, and that “appropriate” and “proportional” measures will be taken.

Earnest described President Obama himself as “dismayed by the chilling effect” on freedom of expression that the GoP’s threats have had on America.

While not outright condemning Sony’s decision to cancel The Interview, Earnest stated, “The president stands squarely on the side of artists and other private citizens who seek to freely express their views.”

“[Filmmakers] have a right to be able to express themselves and produce these kinds of movies even if others find their brand of humor offensive,” he emphasised.

In fact, Earnest said he wouldn’t rule out that the President might one day screen The Interview at the White House.