By Keri Algar

SYDNEY, NSW: Starting this week, Sony will be re-establishing online PlayStation and Qriocity services in a staged region by region process. Sony is yet to announce region-specific restoration dates but has said some services will be back online starting this week.

The Japanese company has also announced the details of an improved security system. A new chief of information security officer role has been introduced to handle the protection of customers’ personal information as well as oversee the new security measures. These include additional firewalls, the addition of automated software monitoring, improved encryption and detection systems.

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Furthermore, the company has delineated a compensation programme to appease disgruntled customers. This too, will differ in regional markets and no specific details have been released. Key compensation across all regions include the free download of selected PlayStation entertainment content, 30 days of free membership of PS Plus premium service for general Network customers or 30 days of free service for those who are already Plus members, and 30 days of free Music Unlimited service for Qriocity subscribers.

In a statement released yesterday globally Kazuo Hirai, executive deputy president, Sony said: “This criminal act against our network had a significant impact not only on our consumers, but our entire industry.”

“These illegal attacks obviously highlight the widespread problem with cyber-security."

"We take the security of our consumers’ information very seriously and are committed to helping our consumers protect their personal data.  In addition, the organization has worked around the clock to bring these services back online, and are doing so only after we had verified increased levels of security across our networks."

Sony maintains there is no evidence yet that credit card data was stolen.