UPDATE 2: I've successfully logged back into PSN, upon resetting my password. Have you?

UPDATE: Sony's informative restoration map will also reflect Canada going back online, Sony tells me.

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By the end of the night, important pieces of PlayStation Network should be back online in the United States. This coincides with a region-by-region rollout of select PSN services, with the entire network expected to be back online worldwide by the end of the month. PlayStation executive Kaz Hirai appeared in a video published on the PlayStation Blog just moments ago, where he detailed Sony's process.

"I'd like to send my sincere apologies for the inconvenience the service outage has caused you," said Hirai, with classy music playing in the background, "and want to thank you for all the patience that you've shown as we've worked through this restoration process. Since the attacks on our networks, we've been working around the clock to bring game and media services back online."

It's been three weeks since PSN went down, and it would be several days before Sony began detailing what happened and how 77 million PSN accounts were compromised in the process. Even developers have begun voicing their frustration, as a downed PSN impacted the ability to test multiplayer games.

As PSN begins coming back online in America specifically, Sony will be updating a map. It's a clever and informative idea. You'll want to keep an eye on this page on the PlayStation Blog as it updates. Several readers have asked if Canada will be represented on that map, and Sony is checking for me.

"We know you've invested in Sony and the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services and we will do everything we can to regain your trust and confidence," said Hirai. "We also know that actions speak louder than words."

Hirai outlined additions to PSN's internal security to protect against future attacks: advanced security technology, increased levels of encryption, additional firewalls and an early warning detection system.

"I wish I could tell you that technology's available to completely protect any company against cyber attack," he said, "but unfortunately, the threat of cyber crime and data theft will continue to plague networks, companies, government agencies and consumers around the world for some time to come."

Sony is offering identify theft services to customers in regions where it's available. Sony has admitted up to 10 million credit cards stored in PSN's database were potentially exposed to the hackers before PSN went down, but there has been no proof of widespread credit card fraud in the weeks since. The lack of information has inspired criticism, as has the nearly month of downtime. Hirai appears to be well aware.

"We know even the most loyal customers have been frustrated by this process and are anxious to use their Sony products and services again," he concluded. "I wish we could have restored the network services faster, but these attacks were serious and sophisticated and it simply took time to install and test the new security measures across our entire system. We felt that we owed it to you to fully verify the security of the networks before restoring our services."

UPDATE 2: I've successfully logged back into PSN, upon resetting my password. Have you?

UPDATE: Sony's informative restoration map will also reflect Canada going back online, Sony tells me.

--

By the end of the night, important pieces of PlayStation Network should be back online in the United States. This coincides with a region-by-region rollout of select PSN services, with the entire network expected to be back online worldwide by the end of the month. PlayStation executive Kaz Hirai appeared in a video published on the PlayStation Blog just moments ago, where he detailed Sony's process.

"I'd like to send my sincere apologies for the inconvenience the service outage has caused you," said Hirai, with classy music playing in the background, "and want to thank you for all the patience that you've shown as we've worked through this restoration process. Since the attacks on our networks, we've been working around the clock to bring game and media services back online."

It's been three weeks since PSN went down, and it would be several days before Sony began detailing what happened and how 77 million PSN accounts were compromised in the process. Even developers have begun voicing their frustration, as a downed PSN impacted the ability to test multiplayer games.

As PSN begins coming back online in America specifically, Sony will be updating a map. It's a clever and informative idea. You'll want to keep an eye on this page on the PlayStation Blog as it updates. Several readers have asked if Canada will be represented on that map, and Sony is checking for me.

"We know you've invested in Sony and the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services and we will do everything we can to regain your trust and confidence," said Hirai. "We also know that actions speak louder than words."

Hirai outlined additions to PSN's internal security to protect against future attacks: advanced security technology, increased levels of encryption, additional firewalls and an early warning detection system.

"I wish I could tell you that technology's available to completely protect any company against cyber attack," he said, "but unfortunately, the threat of cyber crime and data theft will continue to plague networks, companies, government agencies and consumers around the world for some time to come."

Sony is offering identify theft services to customers in regions where it's available. Sony has admitted up to 10 million credit cards stored in PSN's database were potentially exposed to the hackers before PSN went down, but there has been no proof of widespread credit card fraud in the weeks since. The lack of information has inspired criticism, as has the nearly month of downtime. Hirai appears to be well aware.

"We know even the most loyal customers have been frustrated by this process and are anxious to use their Sony products and services again," he concluded. "I wish we could have restored the network services faster, but these attacks were serious and sophisticated and it simply took time to install and test the new security measures across our entire system. We felt that we owed it to you to fully verify the security of the networks before restoring our services."

I like maps.

Well that's good news I suppose.

Very neat desk. Why isn't there a framed picture of Jack Tretton?

Portal 2 multiplayer here I come! 
... Hey, does anyone wanna play Portal 2 with me? :)

I like how he says "AND ... Playstation Home."

Stop smiling at me Kaz!

No Canada, huh? Great.

Fuck. This is a classy approach. I like how you roll , Kaz.
Sony, you're still alright to me.

Hey Sony, how about you put the Store open or else all of us idiots who didn't redeem the MK9 code still won't be able to play the fucking game online.

all good stuf.

Let's go Pennsylvania!

I like maps.

Finally I can link my Steam account and start Portal 2 downloading. Then my PS3 is going into the proverbial garbage can.

I am working under the theory that there was no psn to begin with, that all the players where simulated by a master AI created by sony. The network had to be shut down when it became self aware.

Thankfully he gave a proper response to the situation. I wonder if this means they totally ignore it at E3.

Sooooo any news about Europe?

There should 24 hour PSN restoration coverage by the world's media in green screen studios using these maps and see which ones come on first. Someone GET DAVID DIMBLEBY ON THIS!

This brought back memories of when Prez Bush talked about the 9/11 incident....Kaz Hirai for President!!!

Come on Canada!!

Ok, so what are the odds on the PSN getting hacked again even with these improvements. I could see the "new and improved security" could look like a challenge for those damn hackers.

Fuck. This is a classy approach. I like how you roll , Kaz. Sony, you're still alright to me.

PLAYSTATION NETWORK PRESENTS... A MAP OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Nice to see them eating handfulls of humble pie. Good for them.

Finally I can link my Steam account and start Portal 2 downloading. Then my PS3 is going into the proverbial garbage can.

what about canada?

@TheNonBeliever said:

what about canada?

The restoration is happening in the "Americas," so Canada included. I've also clarified with Sony that their map will also include notes of when Canada goes back online.

How about a world map, right?

Guess my country wouldn't be back til month's end :(.  

Sooooo any news about Europe?

@TheNonBeliever said:

what about canada?

The restoration is happening in the "Americas," so Canada included. I've also clarified with Sony that their map will also include notes of when Canada goes back online.

Shouldn't something be illuminated by now?

Probably going to be last, but Come ooon, Kansas!

I like Kaz, professional and articulate without sounding like a douchebag like Jack Tretton, they should put him in front of the cameras more often.

That looks like a mighty comfy chair, I must get me a new one.

Kaz is still a classy motherfucker, as usual. I'm just happy it'll be up within LA Noire's release week and I can finally buy Outland.

I like this whole video thing. Why couldn't they have done something like this the week it went down explaining what was happening? I know Seybold has been on the blog leaving messages about it, but I think that a video just makes it much more apparent that the company is addressing the issue. Maybe it's just that seeing someone defend themself in person is much better than getting a letter about it. Who knows.

More examples of Game Companies screwed Europe over.

Where's our shiny glowy map Sony? WHERE IS IT?

Let's play USA Risk.

Too be honest, I'm impressed with Kaz's speech.

Maybe I'm a sucker, but I'm still willing to stand by Sony.

That was a really well done video.

I also forgive Kaz for "Riiiiidge Racer" though I don't know if I should actually  thank him for that one.