The saga of the PlayStation Network outage will be coming to a close within a week, according to Sony. Having built new security measures into the network, Sony will begin a phased restoration of the network’s services, which includes online game-play, Qriocity services, account management and password reset, access to download un-expired movie rentals, PlayStation@Home, friends list and chat functionality. Along with restoring the default PSN functions as well as the added security features, Sony will be creating a new position within the company, Chief Information Security Officer, whose sole purpose is to monitor the safety of user data, as well as to supplement existing information security personnel.

With the service going live again, Sony will force a password change for each user in the form of a required system software update that will only allow users to update and change their password on the same PlayStation 3 console on which their account was activated. Also, like a certain blogger may have predicted, Sony will be offering a variety of free downloads and services based on region, in the form of the “Welcome Back Appreciation Program.” The program will provide free content downloads based on territory, all existing PSN customers will receive a free 30 day membership to the PlayStation Plus service, all PlayStation Plus members will receive a free 30 days of the service, and Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity subscribers will receive 30 days of free service as well.

So, it looks like we can put this business behind us soon enough. Hopefully PSN users didn’t experience any kind of credit card or identity issues from the hack, and hey, hopefully the free content Sony will be offering will be something worthwhile.

(via PlayStation.Blog)

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