Sony Corp. has hired a former director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Most of you will recall that Sony Computer Entertainment was a victim of hackers, leaving its PlayStation Network service down for several weeks. In addition to being reamed in the press, Sony had to spend a ton of money to compensate its customers for the outage. The company is hoping that a Homeland Security expert will be able to defend SCE, Sony Music, Sony Pictures, etc. from future “cyber attacks”.
Here’s more from the LA Times:
Philip Reitinger, formerly the director of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Center, will join Sony in the newly created position of chief information security officer and a senior vice president.
Reitinger has also worked for the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice and holds a law degree from Yale, Sony said.
As a frequent flyer, when I think of the Department of Homeland Security I automatically think of its Transportation Security Administration — you know, those people that molest and take naked photos of you at the airport. I’ve been asking several of my Sony friends if they have to have their “packages” searched before entering the office. *snicker*
Seriously though, it’s a smart hire for Sony. Hiring accomplished hackers is a great way to bolster security, but hiring a “gubment” bigwig will make shareholders feel safer. Plus, I’m going to get at least a week of jokes to use on my Sony friends.
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