Security chief ups confidence for online plans

Sony has tapped a veteran of the US Department of Homeland security for the newly created position of chief information security officer. Former director of the U.S. National Cyber Security Center Philip Reitnger will become a senior vice president with the company and report to general counsel Nicole Seligman. The move comes in response to the attack on Sony's Playstation Network in April that caused a monthlong shutdown of the network and compromised the personal information of millions of PSN subscribers.

Criticism about the company's response and doubts about Sony's plans to expand its online business have contributed to a 55 percent drop in Sony's stock price since the attack was revealed. The hack has cost Sony an estimated $171 million to patch security holes and for goodwill gestures designed to lure players back. The most recent fiscal year was Sony's worst in 16 years, partly because of the hack.

Reitinger previously worked for Microsoft and the US Department of Defense. He will be based in Washington.

By Electronista Staff

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