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Sony, in a press release, has just detailed the PSN’s future in light of the recent outage and external intrusion that caused it.
Sony has implemented a variety of new security measures to provide greater protection of personal information. Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI) and its third-party experts have conducted extensive tests in verifying the strength of the rebuilt PSN and Qriocity services.
PSN users will have to download a new firmware and reset their passwords before they can get back online using the PSN. With this in mind, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and SNEI plan to start a phased roll out by region of the services shortly. The initial phase of the roll out will include the following:
* Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation®3 (PS3) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems. This includes titles requiring online verification and downloaded games
* Access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3/PSP for existing subscribers
* Access to account management and password reset
* Access to download un-expired Movie Rentals on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
* PlayStation Home
* Friends List
* Chat Functionality
However, the PSN Store will still not be functional. Sony has not given a time-frame on when it will be made available, only saying that all PlayStation Network services will be back up later by the end of the month.
Sony has also created a new position of Chief Information Security Officer that will directly report to Shinji Hasejima, Chief Information Officer of Sony Corporation. This new job position has been made to add a new position of expertise in accountability for customer data protection and also to supplement existing information security personnel.
The new security measures implemented include the following:
* Added automated software monitoring and configuration management to help defend against new attacks
* Enhanced levels of data protection and encryption
* Enhanced ability to detect software intrusions within the network, unauthorized access and unusual activity patterns
* Implementation of additional firewalls
The press release also states that Sony has “expedited an already planned move of the system to a new data center in a different location that has been under construction and development for several months.” In addition to downloading a new firmware and resetting user passwords, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 where the account was activated or through validated email confirmation.
While Sony insists that there is no evidence that credit card data was taken, the company will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. Further details will be made available in each region shortly.
We’ve reported before that Sony was evaluating ways to show appreciation to the PSN users in these troubled times and now we have a few more details.
Sony will roll out a PlayStation Network and Qriocity “Welcome Back” program to be offered worldwide. It will be tailored to specific markets to provide customers with a selection of service options and “premium content” as an expression of Sony’s gratitude for the consumers’ "support, patience and loyalty."
Central components of the “Welcome Back” program will include the following:
* Each territory will be offering selected PlayStation entertainment content for free download. Specific details of this content will be announced in each region soon.
* All existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service. Current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.
* Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity subscribers (in countries where the service is available) will receive 30 days free service.
Sony also says that additional “Welcome Back” entertainment and service offerings will be rolled out over the coming weeks.
PSN will be back online this coming week, or at least a majority part of it will be functional. PSN users will get PSN+ and other unannounced content for their troubles.
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Kazuo Hirai, Sony's second in command and the chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment offered Sony's apologies today, giving consumers some much needed official word from the company regarding the security breach. Much of the information from the press conference was sent out in a press release after the conference.
One telling detail of the actual event that could not be conveyed by a press release was a formal apology from Hirai and a very deep seven-second bow from the three executives present, a very meaningful gesture in Japanese culture, saying "we would like to extend our apologies because we potentially compromised their customer data. We offer our sincerest apologies."
Acknowledging not enough had been done in security precautions, Hirai said the road to regaining customer trust was the prime concern.
"I see my work as first making sure Sony can regain the trust from our users," Hirai said.
The PSN outage is not the only cyber-trouble plaguing Sony right now. Later in the conference Hirai noted that Anonymous is still on Sony's radar, and coming from a top executive, obviously in a big way.
"we have also received attacks from Internet group Anonymous,"Hirai said. "These kind of attacks... may not be limited only to Sony."
Although they might not be related to the data loss intrusion, Anonymous has publicized personal information about Sony's top management on the Internet. Hirai said the company will cooperate fully regarding the threats with necessary law enforcement for "the safety of a networked society."
When asked why nothing was said for so long Hirai said it was necessary for Sony to take action, Hirai said the company acted "in a gradual way," in order to "prevent any spread of the damages." Sony took the network down, which took "more time than expected," then hired three outside security companies to help in “sifting through the voluminous data" related to the attack, which took "more time than we had hoped."
Hirai said the company needed to be sure they had the full story before coming forward. This sentiment goes against the notion some users have about Sony purposefully holding back information.
Hirai was also clear on the current attacks not delaying Sony's product plans including a tablet mobile device, and the NGP.
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soooooooo, it had a take a hacking and losing all our personal info and maybe CC data to hire someone to keep watch on said data? PATHETIC!
that aside, good come back from sony. but why is PSN store still remaining down? I rather have that then home.
