PSN News: Update 3

The One With The Nose:

Finally, a real breakthrough! Yesterday, Patrick Seybold posted a press release on the Playstation Blog, saying that the Playstation Network should be up within the week. Also, there will be a "Welcome Back" event to reward Sony's loyal customers for staying with Sony.

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.

Here's what they say will be up within the next week:

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

Well, I'm looking forward to music and games for free. This is going to be pretty awesome once PSN is back up. It's a good move on Sony's part to have this event, as it will help keep customers with Sony. They also went through what has been happening in the last 10 days on the blog post.

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

Well, I know I'll sleep better knowing that there is someone in Japan protecting my Little Big Planet levels from the world's hackers. Seriously though, it's good that Sony is upping their security. It will be required that you change your password once PSN comes back up to ensure account security. I hope their timeline for when PSN will come back is accurate, because I want to play online this weekend at the latest.

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Posted in: PS3, PSN