Sony: Hacking Attack Was 'Great Learning Experience'

The hacking attack that compromised millions of PSN users' personal data and shut down the online network for over a month was a "great learning experience" according to the man in charge of Sony's network infrastructure. Sony Network Entertainment president Tim Schaff told a GamesBeat 2011 audience (as reported by MCV) that the attacks highlighted how effective network security is about not just preventing problems, but learning how to respond when they happen. "I think for people running network businesses, it's not just about improving your security, because I've never talked to a security expert who said, 'As long you do the following three things you'll be fine, because hackers won't get you,'" he said. "The question is how do you build your life so you're able to cope with those things." Schaff said he was concerned at first when Sony seemed to be the focal point of the hacking attacks, but as breaches were reported by more and more companies -- including game publishers like Bethesda and Codemasters -- he learned that "there are some crazy things going on in the world right now." Despite being able to learn these important lessons from the attack, Schaff was clear that he "would not like to do it again. One time was enough."