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U.S. senator praises Sony hacking response

Sony's actions "could serve as a model for other companies" says politician

Democrat senator Richard Blumenthal has praised Sony's response to the PlayStation Network security breach and suggested that it, "could serve as a model for other companies facing similar criminal hacking".

Blumenthal was one of the first politicians to contact Sony once details of the breach became public, with a list of questions and the demand that Sony offer free access to credit reporting services for two years and identity theft insurance.

Sony subsequently agreed to provide one year of free credit monitoring service to U.S. users, together with a $1 million insurance policy.

"I welcome Sony's strong first step toward protecting millions of consumers whose personal and financial information has been compromised," said Blumenthal on his official website.

"While I continue to believe that Sony should have warned users earlier, I am pleased they are providing protective measures including an insurance policy to cover identity theft harms to consumers within a twelve-month window – but I would hope Sony would extend coverage over a longer time on a case-by-case basis if necessary."

"Sony's response to preventing similar attacks in the future could serve as a model for other companies facing similar criminal hacking," added Blumenthal.

"The crime perpetrated on Sony and PlayStation Network users is part of a larger troubling trend of cybercrime, and a reminder that our laws and data security resources must keep pace with advancing technology. I look forward to working with Sony and others in the future to determine the best way forward, and continue to urge the Justice Department to pursue the criminals who attacked Sony's information system."

Although Sony Computer Entertainment head Kaz Hirai was criticised for not attending a congressional meeting personally his detailed letter to the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade has been widely welcomed.

The identity of the hackers is still unknown, although both Sony - and other members of the group - suggest that it could be rouge elements within the Anonymous hacker collective.

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David Jenkins

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