Sony Testing PSN, Offers Free Identity Protection Service

As the fallout surrounding the security breach and possible theft of information of Sony's PlayStation Network continues, the company posted a couple of statement on its official PlayStation Blog that detail its ongoing efforts to both restore PSN service and protect the personal information and identities of its users.

The first blog, entitled "Important Step for Service Restoration," revealed that the company's network and security teams have begun the "final stages of internal testing of the new system, an important step towards restoring PlayStation Network and Qriocity services." [Just a note, Sony, please focus on getting PSN back up, no one really cares about Qriocity. – Ed.]

The post went on to say, "We’ve been working around the clock to rebuild the network and enhance protections of your personal data. It’s our top priority to ensure your data is safe when you begin using the services again." and promised more updates as soon as possible.

To help ease the minds of users who are understandable worried about giving Sony their credit card and personal information, the company posted a second blog that detailed plans to offer a new "AllClear ID Plus" identity theft protection service to PSN and Qriocity users in the United States (information on similar efforts in other territories will be announced later).

The service will be provided through the Internet security firm Debix. You can call a Sony customer hotline and register for the service at Debix's website.

Here are some of the details:

    •    Cyber monitoring and surveillance of the Internet to detect exposure of an AllClear ID Plus customer’s personal information, including monitoring of criminal web sites and data recovered by law enforcement. If his/her personal information is found, the customer will be alerted by phone and/or email and will be provided advice and support regarding protective steps to take. The customer will also receive monthly identity status reports. Debix works with an alliance of cyber-crime experts from the government, academia and industry to provide these services.

    •    Priority access to licensed private investigators and identity restoration specialists. If an AllClear ID Plus customer receives an alert, or otherwise suspects that he/she may be the victim of identity theft, the customer can speak directly, on a priority basis, with an on-staff licensed private investigator, who will conduct a comprehensive inquiry. In the case of an identity theft, the customer can work with an identity restoration specialist to contact creditors and others, and take necessary steps to restore the customer’s identity.

    •    A $1 million identity theft insurance policy per user to provide additional protection in the event that an AllClear ID Plus customer becomes a victim of identity theft. This insurance would provide financial relief of up to $1 million for covered identity restoration costs, legal defense expenses, and lost wages that occur within 12 months after the stolen identity event.

For previous stories on Sony's PSN security issues, click here.