As revealed today in an update posted on the official PS Blog, Sony plans on releasing a new PS3 firmware update soon. In addition to allowing users to connect to the rebuilt PSN infrastructure, it’ll force a password change on connect. This comes in response to the recent PSN security breach, which has left a staggering 70 million+ accounts compromised.

Here’s the item in question, direct from the FAQ:

We are working on a new system software update that will require all users to change their password once PlayStation Network is restored. We will provide more details about the new update shortly.

In related news, Sony also confirmed that personal data – such as your PSN password – was stored unencrypted in their database. We’ve since been informed, however, that password data was hashed. Which means, it’s impossible to retrieve the passwords without resorting to time-consuming brute force attempts. This can take years for complex passwords, so it’s a very safe way of storing such details. Regardless – we still recommend changing your password.

Going forward, Sony’s strategy to improve security entails “moving our network infrastructure and data center to a new, more secure location, which is already underway.”

For individuals affected, it might take more than mere assurance to regain trust, but at least Sony is headed in the right direction.

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