"The Department of Homeland Security is aware of the recent cyber intrusion to Sony's PlayStation Network and Qriocity music service," DHS spokesman Chris Ortman said. "DHS' U. S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team is working with law enforcement, international partners and Sony to assess the situation." While gaming and music networks may not be considered "critical infrastructure," the data that perpetrators accessed could be used to infiltrate other systems that are critical to people's financial security, according to some computer experts. Stolen passwords or profile information, especially codes that customers have used to register on other websites, can provide hackers with the tools needed to crack into corporate servers or open bank accounts.

The PlayStation site states that the perpetrator obtained the names, addresses and birth dates of registered users, as well as their email addresses, network usernames and login passwords. User profile information, such as answers to password security questions and purchase histories, also may have been taken. The company has no evidence that credit card data was stolen but officials said they cannot rule out the possibility.

US-CERT offers victimized companies guidance on service restoration and risk management, as well as recommendations for improving overall network and control systems security. The team also shares information gleaned from investigations with private sector and government cybersecurity specialists to prevent similar strikes elsewhere.