Sony PlayStation Network to return next week?

The latest update on the PlayStation Blog reassures users that law enforcement and technology security experts are investigating the April 17 breach. It took the company until Wednesday to admit that user data had been stolen.

User data is one thing, but credit card data is more serious. In a FAQ, Sony’s head of communications Nick Caplin writes, “The entire credit card table was encrypted and we have no evidence that credit card data was taken,” but in the next bullet point:

“While all credit card information stored in our systems is encrypted and there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility. If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code, sometimes called a CVC or CSC number) and expiration date may have been obtained.”

Sony says it has “temporarily turned off PlayStation Network and Qriocity services” while it tightens security on the network. When will the network return? “Within a week from yesterday,” Caplin writes. So, PlayStation Network aficionados, you’re going to have to find something else to do until May 4.