Confused about PCI-DSS? 

Answers about compliance and security 

What is PCI?

• PCI-DSS is a set of technical and operational standards designed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council to protect cardholder data.

Why is compliance important?

• A typical data security breach costs a small business merchant between $25,000 and $50,000, but that number can be much higher depending on how many card numbers were compromised.  

Read more here

Who needs to become compliant?

• Anyone who stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data must adhere to the PCI-DSS in order to continue accepting payment cards. 

How do I become compliant with PCI-DSS?

• Elavon, our acquirer, has teamed up with a security company, TrustWave, to provide you with a program to become PCI compliant. 

Read more here

Where can I go for more information on PCI?

• Visit the website of the PCI Security Council
• Visa's website includes details on the compliance program
• Even if you don't use a Merchant Connect account, you can read about compliance here
• TrustKeeper is the program merchants use to complete the questionnaire and scan their IP address for malware

Monthly Payments?

Stored credit card numbers can pose a security threat if they aren't being stored in the right environment. If your customers are paying a monthly fee or payment, and you're storing their credit card data to process their recurring transactions, you might want to look into Virtual Merchant. 

Click here to read more about Virtual Merchant, then contact Payment Plus to sign up today!

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Become a fan of Payment Plus on Facebook. On March 1st, 2010, we will select one of or new fans to receive a copy of Viral Loop!

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Online Restaurant Ratings

Fewer and fewer people are reaching for the phone book when they look for a place to eat. A study by comScore Inc. found that 97% of people who used an online tool to read a restaurant review were more willing to go to a restaurant that had positive reviews online, and they were willing to pay more to go to that restaurant as well. 

"Security in information technology is like locking your house or car - it doesn't stop the bad guys, but if it's good enough, they may move on to an easier target."

 Paul Herbka, Vice President

Information Security Company