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

  • thank u and keep me posted

  • by bringing up Anonymous in their press conference Sony has guaranteed they’re going to get hacked again! Sony is never gonna win this.

  • add me when its back up

  • 30 days of PS+ stuff before we have to sub to actually keep it. Ok Sony <_<

  • add me when its back up sped99

  • add me on psn when it come back up

  • i made a black ops clan called ssmf add me if u want to be in it 16 people are in it already add me

  • That’s some good news. Can’t wait!

  • im very satisfied!! thank you sony. keep up the hard work!

  • Hmm – I see a lot of people excited, mainly the ones who said Sony won’t give us no Playstation Plus trial or any free stuff. I kind of find it funny that all those people are super excited now. I could really care less though, since I been a Playstation Plus member since March-April of this year. I just want Playstation Network back, hopefully the store is updated with Outland. =D [Hopefully by May 3rd, as said by Patrick. ;)]

  • s1mpl3______j4ck

    yaaa free stuff!!!

  • @jamesl007
    Yes you need the original ps3 to change it but it also says you can do it from your email so it is all hood and you can still change your password

  • What about a mention of the loss of service of the 30 day free trial of MLB? Anwers please.

  • Glad to hear the news and that my PS+ will be extended. Look forward to when we return back online.

  • OK, so here’s a quick question. I keep hearing about how good these hackers must have been, how sophisticated their attack must have been, how long they must have planned right under Sony’s noses, etc and in the same arguments I keep hearing about how weak and outdated Sony’s security was.

    So which is it? If the security was so weak and dated sounds to me like any old hacker could come along and do what’s been done. It’s not like some state of the art security was breached here.

    Now on the topic of our data apparently being shopped around online. Really? People are that stupid? You’ve got the hottest data in your hands and you’re going to go out and start selling it right away? That’s like a thief stealing the freaking Crown Jewels and then turning around the next day and trying to sell it on the street. Sounds like BS to me.

  • WoundedUnderwear

    Glad PSN is coming back up soon. Keep up the good work SONY!!

  • Welcome back? I never left!

  • @ Jimmy_Cosmos
    that’s what they want; more anonymous attacks.
    so they’ll try to track them

  • Sounds good to me, can’t wait until PSN is back up & running… Thanx

  • @ triple_lei Glad to see you around :P

  • headwoundranger

    Glad to hear it’s coming back!!! MW2 free dlc would be a nice touch :-) just saying

  • PSN, how I have missed thee.

    12

  • Glad to hear things are back in working order and ready to be turned on for the mass of gamers yet again. Also glad to hear that extra security has been implemented and some “apology gifts” are making their way to us. I really hope it’s something kewl and not something lame (that we get for free).

  • we will get a “free movie rental download”

  • @mixedkidbx

    The free month of PSN+ to non-members *does* have value, even if it is also a bit of self-marketing for Sony. For example, there are many games and DLC that are discounted (sometimes 50%) for Plus members. As a ‘free’ Plus member for 30 days you can take advantage of those discounts and that means real money saved vs. paying full price. Anything you pay for on Plus – even at a discount – is yours to keep even if you don’t resubscribe to Plus. The only things that go away when your Plus subscription ends is content that was free as part of your Plus subscription and value-add services like games saves in the cloud.

    Also, the ‘free content to PSN members’ I *think* means bona fide free content, not tied to a PSN+ subscription, so you get to keep the freebies even if you don’t ever sign up for Plus.

  • Nice :D

  • and while your at it SONY come n hook us up with a BROWSER thats worth a [DELETED] something like Mozilla would be nice and folders you can have to put media into stuff like that would be nice. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY thank you for being ever so vigilant in letting that hacker geohot have it !!!! i bet he learned his lesson!! I guess you were right home brew is what destroyed the psn !!!!!! no wait it was the ps3 running linux thats what it was [DELETED] hackers its those linux programmers thats what did it but n-e-ways do what you do just please get it done a little faster

  • s1mpl3______j4ck

    exactly how long till i can play online?

  • Since we get 30 days free of Plus, does that count as my idea for a free Plus trial on blog.share being implemented?! =D WIN!

  • @ratchet426

    You’re assuminfg people will just give sony their credit card info again.I would wager most will not (myself included) even though I was/am a PS+ subscriber prior to the attack.

  • s1mpl3______j4ck

    seriously, they said its gunna be back online? whennn???

  • s1mpl3______j4ck

    now would be good.

  • 265
    Google if any other regions are. I *think* Japan is.

  • thank you sony, with the welcome back package, i shall stay a member of the psn, i think it is compencation enough, wait is it for everyone, meaning all of th 77 million users?

  • Please get it up before days end! Japan is up, it’s North America’s turn. We have more gamers!

  • Thank you Sony!

    Now, what about the $16 I lost during previous attack? (in my PSN wallet)

  • @168

    I’ve been wanting to post this all day but I’ve been at work. You do know you don’t have to have a PS3 to have a PSN account right? It’s on PSP, PC and if you own a Bravia connected to the internet you have to have a Qriocity account and you can’t have one of those without having a PSN account. So I think 77 Million is a realistic number.

  • @ zekececil14
    japan is up?!?!

  • 272
    There is a huge rumor going around. It might be because its monday there.

  • I wonder what would happen if they did it all at once. I think they’re phasing it so there wont be a huge influx of people signing in that would turn PSN into a vegetable.

  • first they have to boot up the mother ship (japanese server now on american ground)
    for the big boss account. after they’ll connect the entire network trough US and EU.

  • now the PSN is ready for an eventual PS4 release :P

  • Okay maybe I jumped the gun since it wasn’t confirmed it would be back online today but either way, we got some great stuff when we get back online. I CANT WAIT! Long Live Sony!

  • ps3 exclusives is reason why everyone stays on the best console

  • @274 zekececil14 I wonder what would happen if they did it all at once. I think they’re phasing it so there wont be a huge influx of people signing in that would turn PSN into a * potato*.Corrected

    SPACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Im signed into my JP account :) gonna COD it up :D

  • I don’t think Japan PSN is up. First of all, they would have announced it. And I still couldn’t sign on with my PS3.

  • I wonder why sony dosent have cross game chatting

  • xxfamasarmyxx97

    awsome cant wait sony when u screw up u soome how always figure out how to make things right

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