Now that the dust has cleared on one of the biggest data breaches in history, Sony’s giving affected users of the PSN and their Qriocity subscribers free content and complimentary subscriptions for their troubles. Patrick Seybold, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications & Social Media wrote on the Playstation blog that “the company (Sony) 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.” In addition, he says that “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.”
Components of the Welcome back program 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.
Sony’s also beefing up their security, and has created the position of Chief Information Security Officer who will be reporting directly to Shinji Hasejima, Chief Information Officer of Sony Corporation. Additionally, Sony’s moving the system to a new data center that has been in the works for a few months now, and will be pushing a critical PSN update to its subscribers that, among other things, requires the user to change his/her password immediately.
It’s still unclear how much damage this particular network breach has had on Sony, as consumers will now be wary of giving their personal data to the electronics giant. Will Sony’s new security protocols withstand another determined cyber-attack? Only time will tell.
Source: Playstation Blog