Hacker attack to cost Sony $172 million, almost as much as initial Japanese earthquake damage

Financially speaking, the effects of the hacker attack on Sony Corp. cost the Japanese media conglomerate nearly as much as initial damage from the country’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

The consumer electronics giant estimated Monday that it will have spent $171.7 million this year to repair the damages wreaked by hackers who infiltrated its computers and accessed the account information of hundreds of millions of consumers who used its PlayStation Network and Qriocity online services.

By comparison, the earthquake and tsunami on March 11 caused an estimated $208.5-million hit on the company’s profit for the fiscal year ended March 31.

Full Story: Hacker attack to cost Sony $172 million, almost as much as initial Japanese earthquake damage | Company Town | Los Angeles Times