Sony Agrees to Testify Before U.S. Congress

A representative from Sony will testify before U.S. Congress in a session focused on data security.

Sony continues to deal with the aftermath of the recent server attack which threatened the data of millions of customers. Though it previously declined an invitation to appear before the inquiring U.S. Congress, Sony has now changed its mind.

President of Sony Network Entertainment International Tim Schaaff will make his way into Congress’ chamber to testify in a hearing focused on data security scheduled for June 2. He’ll be joined by a representative from Epsilon, a company that also recently faced a breach exposing millions of email addresses and passwords.

Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack will preside over the hearing. Bono Mack has been critical of Sony’s handling of the data breach, demanding that Sony answer around 13 questions on the matter on May 17, which it since has. Bono Mack is happy that Sony has now agreed to testify.

Though it might seem like Sony has been sent to the principal’s office, the hearing doesn’t appear to be much more than a forum through which Congress can learn how to better form legislation to prevent data theft in the future. A spokesman said: “[Bono Mack] firmly believes that the lessons learned from both the Sony and Epsilon experiences can be instructive and guide us as we develop comprehensive data protection legislation.”

Government officials may be hoping to learn how to write up required data safeguards that corporations would have the comply with or procedures they’d have to follow after an attack. Still, there’s always the possibility that Sony will be raked over the coals a little too.

Thanks for the tip de5gravity!

Source: New York Times