Sony chief says sorry for data hack
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Sony CEO Howard Stringer has apologised for the security breach on its PlayStation network that resulted in the theft of millions of customers’ details.
In a letter on the official Sony PlayStation blog, Stringer admits he wished the company could have “gotten the answers [it] needed sooner” but says that forensic analysis of the situation was “time-consuming”.
He adds: “I know some believe we should have notified our customers earlier than we did. It’s a fair question.
“As soon as we discovered the potential scope of the intrusion, we shut down the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services and hired some of the best technical experts in the field to determine what happened.”
Stringer says Sony is upgrading its security to defend itself against further attacks.
The company will also introduce a “welcome back” package for customers when the PlayStation and Qriocity services are back online, including membership extensions and free PlayStation Plus membership.
Sony’s “buzz” slumped to -9.65 yesterday (5 May), down from +17.4 on 25 April, before details about either of the attacks emerged, according to YouGov’s Brand Index, which measures brand reputation.
Sony first announced that more than 77 million PlayStation gamers may have had their details stolen after an “illegal and unauthorised” intrusion on 26 April.
The company suffered a second blow to its online systems and brand reputation on 3 May when it informed an additional 25 million customers their details had been compromised in a second attack by hackers on its Sony Online Entertainment network.
Click here to read Howard Stringer’s letter in full.
YouGov Insight:
Games Consoles
· The average price of a games console has come down from a peak of £171 in 2007 to £152 in 2010.
· 4 out of 5 consumers rate as important the range of games available for a particular console, highlighting how console manufacturers need to have a strong portfolio of software available in order to ultimately succeed in the market.
· Also of note is the importance attached to being able to purchase software from different retail channels with 6 out of 10 citing this as important.
· 13% of console owner bought their console from an online only retailer.
· 37% of consumers rate internet connectivity as an important feature in a console.
