Sony taps Homeland Security for PSN security head

Earlier this year, after hackers stole personal information from the PlayStation Network user base and brought parts of the online service down for a month, Sony pledged to create a new chief information security officer position to help the electronics giant avoid a repeat of its problems. Sony has apparently found just the person for the job in the US Department of Homeland Security.

Reuters today is reporting that former US National Cyber Security Center director Philip Reitinger will be assuming the post. In addition to his work at the DHS, Reitinger has previously worked for the US Department of Defense and Microsoft.

"Certainly the network issue was a catalyst for the appointment," a Sony spokesman told the news agency. "We are looking to bolster our network security even further."

In April, the PlayStation Network came under attack from a group of hackers that exposed the personal information of the system's 75 million users and brought parts of the service down for more than a month. Last week, Sony CEO Howard Stringer said that the service has actually grown by 3 million users since the hack.