Sony has announced the PlayStation Network has begun restoration today. The PSN will be restored in a series of phases with phase one restoring access to the PSN, online gaming for the PS3 and PSP, access to Netflix, Hulu, MLB.com and PlayStation Home. The remaining features, such as the ability to make purchases from the PSN Store will return soon. Below is a video of Sony’s Executive Deputy President, Kazuo Hirai, making the official announcement.
Keep reading for details about changes Sony has made as well the changes gamers must make.
Sony Online Entertainment have been working on making the following security updates to ensure the safety of their users’ data. These updates took time and Sony did not want to relaunch the PSN, or their other online services, until they had been properly implemented and tested.
- Made enhancements to overall data security
- Updating and adding advanced security technologies
- Additional software monitoring
- Performing new penetration and vulnerability testing
- Increased levels of encryption
Gamers will have to make security changes as well. A PS3 system software update will prompt players to change their password. This is mandatory. You can only change your password from the PS3 console you made the account from. If you no longer have the PS3 you will be able to change it through emails, although it is not clear what the validation process entails. This software update is active now.
According the PSBlog it will take a while for the update to become active across the county, and the world. Sony has posted a map showing which states have had access restored. They estimate it will take several hours for the entire country to be updated. Sony encourages users to download the software update in the mean time.
