Sony hires ex-Homeland Security official

Sony has hired a former official at the US Department of Homeland Security for the new post of chief information security officer…

Sony has hired a former official at the US Department of Homeland Security for the new post of chief information security officer, months after a massive hacking attack leaked information on 100 million user accounts on its games networks.

Philip Reitinger, previously director of the US National Cyber Security Center, will become senior vice president and will report to general counsel Nicole Seligman, the Japanese electronics conglomerate said today.

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

Shares in Sony have fallen 55 per cent since the company revealed the hacking on April 27th, sparking widespread criticism and casting a shadow over its plans for expansion in online businesses including music and movie distribution.

Concerns about losses in the TV department and the yen's rise against the euro have also contributed to Sony's woes.

Mr Reitinger, who has also worked for Microsoft and the US Department of Defense, will be based in Washington.

Reuters