Wednesday, 4 May 2011


The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing in Washington, DC today on “The Threat of Data Theft to American Consumers.” in regards to the hacking of the Playstation Network.


Kazuo Hirai, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sony Computer Entertainment America, submitted written answers to questions posed by the subcommittee about the large-scale, criminal cyber-attack. 


Sony informed the subcommittee of the following:


Sony has been the victim of a very carefully planned, very professional, highly sophisticated criminal cyber attack.


Sony discovered that the intruders had planted a file on one of the Sony Online Entertainment servers named “Anonymous” with the words “We are Legion.”


By April 25, forensic teams were able to confirm the scope of the personal data they believed had been taken, and could not rule out whether credit card information had been accessed. On April 26, Sony notified customers of those facts.


As of today, the major credit card companies have not reported any fraudulent transactions that they believe are the direct result of this cyber attack.


Protecting individuals’ personal data is the highest priority and ensuring that the Internet can be made secure for commerce is also essential. Worldwide, countries and businesses will have to come together to ensure the safety of commerce over the Internet and find ways to combat cybercrime and cyber terrorism.


Sony are taking a number of steps to prevent future breaches, including enhanced levels of data protection and encryption; enhanced ability to detect software intrusions, unauthorized access and unusual activity patterns; additional firewalls; establishment of a new data center in an undisclosed location with increased security; and the naming of a new Chief Information Security Officer.


Sony told the subcommittee about there intent to offer complimentary identity theft protection to U.S. account holders and detailed the “Welcome Back” program that includes free downloads, 30 days of free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium subscription service; 30 days of free service for Music Unlimited subscribers; and extending PlayStation Plus and Music Unlimited subscriptions for the number of days services were unavailable.







Post a Comment

__