PSN and SOE attacks "similar", exploited "shared architecture"

Sony Online Entertainment has said that its own network and the PSN share architecture to "some degree", and that both attacks were "similar in nature".

"While the two systems are distinct and operated separately, given that they are both under the Sony umbrella, there is some degree of architecture that overlaps," a SOE spokesperson told Joystiq.

Accordingly, the representative explained that the attacks on both services "were similar in nature", suggesting the same party exploited similar tactics in gaining entry to both networks.

SOE's comments do not seem to contradict earlier statements that the two networks are entirely separate entities, but to suggest they share a similarity in infrastructure. That would go some way towards explaining how both the PSN and SOE's servers were intruded upon in such close succession despite their independence of each other.

In an April 16 attack on SOE's servers, 12,700 credit card and 10,700 debit account details were compromised. The information potentially stolen dates back to 2007.