Press Release: Some PlayStation Network and Qriocity Services to be Available This Week

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Press Release: Some PlayStation Network and Qriocity Services to be Available This Week

SOME PLAYSTATION®NETWORK AND QRIOCITY™ SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK
Phased Global Rollout of Services to Begin Regionally;
System Security Enhanced to Provide Greater Protection of Personal Information

Tokyo, May 1, 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI, the company) announced they will shortly begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStation®Network and Qriocity™ services, beginning with gaming, music and video services to be turned on. The company also announced both a series of immediate steps to enhance security across the network and a new customer appreciation program to thank its customers for their patience and loyalty.

Following a criminal cyber-attack on the company’s data-center located in San Diego, California, U.S.A., SNEI quickly turned off the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services, engaged multiple expert information security firms over the course of several days and conducted an extensive audit of the system. Since then, the company has implemented a variety of new security measures to provide greater protection of personal information. SNEI and its third-party experts have conducted extensive tests to verify the security strength of the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. With these measures in place, SCE and SNEI plan to start a phased rollout by region of the services shortly. The initial phase of the rollout will include, but is not limited to, 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

Working closely with several outside security firms, the company has implemented significant security measures to further detect unauthorized activity and provide consumers with greater protection of their personal information. The company is also creating the position of Chief Information Security Officer, directly reporting to Shinji Hasejima, Chief Information Officer of Sony Corporation, to add a new position of expertise in and accountability for customer data protection and supplement existing information security personnel. The new security measures implemented include, but are not limited to, 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 company also 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, PS3 will have a forced system software update that will require all registered PlayStation Network users to change their account passwords before being able to sign into the service. As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation, a critical step to help further protect customer data.

The company is conducting a thorough and on-going investigation and working with law enforcement to track down and prosecute those responsible for the illegal intrusion.

“This criminal act against our network had a significant impact not only on our consumers, but our entire industry. These illegal attacks obviously highlight the widespread problem with cyber-security. We take the security of our consumers’ information very seriously and are committed to helping our consumers protect their personal data. In addition, the organization has worked around the clock to bring these services back online, and are doing so only after we had verified increased levels of security across our networks,” said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. “Our global audience of PlayStation Network and Qriocity consumers was disrupted. We have learned lessons along the way about the valued relationship with our consumers, and to that end, we will be launching a customer appreciation program for registered consumers as a way of expressing our gratitude for their loyalty during this network downtime, as we work even harder to restore and regain their trust in us and our services.”

Complimentary Offering and “Welcome Back” Appreciation Program
While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, the company is committed to helping its customers protect their personal data and will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in each region.

The company will also rollout the PlayStation Network and Qriocity “Welcome Back” program, to be offered worldwide, which will be tailored to specific markets to provide our consumers with a selection of service options and premium content as an expression of the company’s appreciation for their patience, support and continued loyalty.

Central components of the “Welcome Back” program will include:

  • 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.

Additional “Welcome Back” entertainment and service offerings will be rolled out over the coming weeks as the company returns the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services to the quality standard users have grown to enjoy and strive to exceed those exceptions.

SNEI will continue to reinforce and verify security for transactions before resuming the PlayStation®Store and other Qriocity operations, scheduled for this month.

For more information about the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services intrusion and restoration, please visit https://blog.us.playstation.com. or https://blog.eu.playstation.com/

About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $78 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufactures, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCEI is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.

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378 Comments

  • i have 1 question… if you already have playstation plus .. we will be getting 30 free da+ after are menbership is over?? thanks sony

  • Thanks Sony! Still have your back! Good rewards for patience, hope the network is stronger and more reliable! Looking forward to the return of PSN and continuing the year of the PS3!

  • @ chicken636
    cant be clearer lol

  • chicken636
    As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, >or through validated email confirmation,<

    Read more closely.

  • lol 2 pages in 19 min. NEW RECORD!

  • so, if my account was created on my YLOD PS3, will Sony fix it so i can re-set my password??? they should fix it since i paid $600 for the thing and it died after 3 years of light to moderate gaming due to no fault of my own…. and it shouldnt cost me another dime considering i had to buy a 2nd PS3 just to play my games…..

  • @4 – They have previously mention via the PSN blog (this past Wednesday) that they Expect PSN to be up a week from then, so that means it’ll be up on Tuesday (assuming that they keep their schedule).

    @21 & 27 – Assuming that I’m understanding the 1 paragraph that’s confusing you correctly, you can change your PW via your PS3, even if it’s not your original one. If I’m wrong Mr. Seybold, please correct me. Yes, occaisionally PS3s do die/get stolen (or for w.e you no longer have your original PS3. What Mr. Seybold was trying to say was that so long as your PSN account was already on the PS3 you currently have prior to the PSN outage, you should be set to go. Now, if you got another PS3 since the outage started, that’s another story altogether.

  • @56
    OMG READ THE DANG SENTENCE 50 MORE TIMES!!!!!!! It says

    As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation,

    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation

  • chill out bros… i can read… i stand by what i said, given how much money ive given Sony just to have a PS3….

  • woot woot PSN is the best, hope it comes soon

  • whoever is going to ask about not being able to chang their pass because they are on a newer PS3 than their original, READ

    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation
    or through valid email confirmation

  • Nice! :D

  • I was expecting an update so my system could make pancakes im extremely unsatisfied

  • @lyfestory
    alot of people repair ylod for 40$

  • My comment was long and obnoxious, therefore no one with ask that question a fifth time.

  • Oh, btw, quick questio for Mr. Seybold: The PSN Store (game/comics/video sides) weren’t specifically mentoned in the press release regarding the initial phase of bringing PSN back (though it does say before the list “will include, but is not limited to, the following:”. Can you give any info on this? I typically (@ least on this secondary account, anyway) love to buy video content from the PSN Store, especially anime & misc. other TV shows. Right now I got $$$ that’s burning a hole in my wallet & I wanna go get some PSN cards & spend said money. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.

  • lol Lopez9577
    and what about my lamborghini reventon xDD lool

  • What causes YLOD?

  • those repairs, if not done properly, do not last… i had it repaired once already… lasted 6 months… died again.. same problem…

  • Good to hear a legit update finally.

  • Thank you.

  • Required on the PS3 I created my account on. Umm numb nuts, you guys have my original PS3. It is broken, dead, non functional, etc.

  • @Movie

    PSN store is gonna be down for lil while more so they can test things out and improve security

  • Why does the date for this post say April 26th?

  • @everyone – side note: y’know what’s odd? Supposedly, we should be able to be posting on here by now (2 least according to the EU PS Blog), if only because the web cookies that are keeping us logged in are supposed to expire after a week, & w/ PSN being down for over a week & no way to log in since the outage started, comments *SHOULD’VE* died out by this past Wednesday. Hmmm…

  • ylod is causes by overheat produced by the processor when the system is full of dust.
    and the processor is really too much closer from the blu-ray/dvd laser lens and can break the blu-ray drive fonction.
    that’s why you sould clean your PS3 1 time every month with an air compressor :P

  • The content will probably be a free download of Riiiiiiiiiiidge Raaaaaaaaceeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr!

  • thank you for trying to make everything right by your customers. it is very high;y appreciated.

  • Typo! That should read as “shouldn’t be able to be posting…”, but I think everyone may have figured out what I meant regardless.

  • 2 out of 3, Thank you and can’t wait till network is online :D
    (I don’t get the Music Unlimited where I live)

  • @Movie_Profile

    EU blog probably uses different cookie settings
    They vary in length depending on how you set them

  • Thank you!! Great update!!

  • WTF does you mean some?

  • @Zeke

    I hope so, Ridge Racer looks awesome

  • 75
    Take note that was for EU, and they haven’t been commenting.

    72
    SERIOUSLY?! Read comment #61 numb nuts.

  • 76
    Really, an air compressor? O_O What if you own a slim?

  • IMA HACK 360

  • @ zekececil14 +1

    @Movie_Profile the store should come back online within the month

    @Cyb3rfr34k-iso You SHOULDN’T clean your PlayStation with an air compressor.

    Original quote from twitter from AskPlaystation Official Twitter customer support for PlayStation, PS3, PSP, PSN, and PS2 from Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA)

    Protip: Keep your PS3 vents clean, use a low powered vacuum rather than canned air.

  • 87
    Then…….what are you doing here? GET TO WORK!

  • Dang it sony I didnt want stuff, I wanted a icee update so i can have cherry icees, then maybe update it so i can have coke too :)

  • B-REAL
    REALLY! +1! For what! =D

  • For the record, I told you guys everything would be ok. =D

  • So I just seen FAST FIVE :D It was amazing and Leti (Vin Deisels) Girl is ALIVE!!!!!!!!!

  • B-Real206
    canned air had some fluids inside and can spray your PS3 components and make a shortcut, that’s why they say not using “canned air”
    they are clearly not talking about air compressor blower at 60lbs pressure…

  • @Lopez9577 Way to spoil it X(

  • @STD its not a spoiler its after the credits, its the story for the next Fast movie & eva mendes will be back ;) & the rock :D AWESOME!!!!

  • “they will shortly begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStation®Network and Qriocity™ services, beginning with gaming”

    hmmmmmmmm, how shortly, and North America should be first because we have more gamers.

  • Nice, that’s a good start to have online play and a part of the PSN. And it’s pretty nice to have those 30 days of free PS+. It’s always really nice to have free stuff and even more! =D

    Thanks for making good!

    I’ll get my PSN rolling again this week!! ^_^

  • Give me custom avatar feature and I’m happy

  • Just like that, anger turns into love.

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