Last month saw us dipping our toes for the first time into the world of exhibitions, showcasing our products at the Call & Contact Centre Expo at Excel London. It proved to be a very positive experience for us, meeting many potential clients as well as other card payment solution providers, and gave us a great insight into the challenges facing businesses in ensuring their card payment processes are efficient and secure and in line with ever-changing compliance obligations. Here’s a little bit of what we learnt over the two days:

1. As we’ve suspected for a while, we are filling a gap in the market in delivering PCI compliant card payment solutions targeted specifically towards the needs of SMEs. We know that for many small and medium sized businesses, with fewer resources to hand than their larger corporate counterparts, providing an affordable solution that is efficient at processing payments while integrating with existing systems such as the phone network and accounting software is vital.
2. Businesses are well aware of the risk of not complying with PCI DSS and are keen to address it. However, we met many that are unsure what is required and feel daunted by the process of achieving compliance, leading to concerns that this confusion could be exploited and result in the investment in software and processes that don’t work for their business. They are keen to work with suppliers that offer bespoke customer service and deliver solutions that meet all of their needs and tick all the boxes when it comes to complying with PCI DSS and broader data protection regulations.
3. Businesses want a solution that is easy to use and simple to install without the need for expensive pieces of equipment or extensive training required for staff to use it effectively. Simplicity is key.

Can we help your business?

Our PCI compliant card payment processing solutions are:

• Affordable
• Simple to install
• Cloud-based (so no need for the installation of new equipment)
• Easy to use
• PCI compliant with Level 1 accreditation

They are created from scratch to suit the needs of your business, integrating seamlessly with other areas of the business and are robust against the threat of cyber attack and the risk of data breach. If you would like to know more about our solutions, be it for payments made over the phone or online, visit our Solutions page or contact us here.

There’s no doubt that the UK is currently in uncharted territory when it comes to exiting the EU. Brexit uncertainty is causing concern for businesses of all shapes and sizes across the country, creating challenges with planning, budgeting, resourcing and adding pressure to day to day trading.

In these uncertain times, there’s a chance that focus shifts away from usual priorities, with functions such as IT provision and security moving lower in the importance list. But it’s essential not to take your eye off the ball when it comes to data protection and PCI DSS compliance. In fact, in many ways, now is the time to consider stepping up and investing in your data security and card payment processes. Here are our three reasons why:

1. Increase your competitive advantage to future-proof your business

We’ve all heard the projections of economic downturn should the UK leave the EU without an adequate deal in place. None of us can predict the future but if the economy and trade is affected then the challenge for businesses will be to gain an advantage over their competitors.

We know that for today’s consumers, the safeguarding of their personal data holds significant value when choosing a business to buy from. Customers want to know that their data is stored and payments processed in a secure environment. A study in 2018 showed this to be the case with 86% of UK consumers confirming that, during the transaction process, they would rather the focus be on security rather than convenience compared to only 59% of business executives placing security ahead of convenience*. Investing in an efficient and secure card payment processing solution will reassure your customers that you take data security seriously which could be the key selling point you need to get ahead of rival businesses should times get tough.

2. Protect from the increased risk of a cyber attack

Uncertainty and security tend not to go hand in hand. While businesses may be distracted and navigating their way through different and challenging trading conditions, cyber criminals will be continuing to develop new ways to hack into systems, potentially preying on those with weaker security in place. There has been a significant increase in the number of smaller businesses falling victim to cyber security attacks over recent years largely due to the perception of them been easier targets with less stringent security barriers in place.

Suffering a data breach can deal a devastating blow to a business. According to the NCSA, 60% of small and medium size businesses that have been breached close within six months**. The aim of PCI DSS is to enforce controls on the storage, transmission and processing of cardholder data. Making sure your card payment process complies with the objectives set out within PCI DSS will help to protect your business and your customers.

3. Protect your budget and save money

We know that for smaller businesses, managing cashflow can be tricky at the best of times. That is why we have created a range of PCI compliant card processing solutions for payments over the phone and online that are effective and affordable, with a clear outline of the costs from the outset. Our bespoke solutions are created to suit your exact requirements so you’ll only ever pay for the things you actually need. All our card payment processing systems are cloud-based so it won’t be necessary to invest in expensive pieces of equipment to be installed on-site and this also means that the set up can be easily modified by us should your business change, for example tweaking the payment process or amending the number of users. Our Auto IVR and online solutions mean that caller payments can happen out of hours or without the need for an agent to be on the line so you can handle more transactions and save money on staff resourcing.

Crucially, the systems are all compliant with PCI DSS to a Level 1 standard which means that you’re less likely to suffer a breach of data should you be targeted by hackers and in turn, avoiding the risk of being in receipt of a hefty non-compliance fine.

While none of us can predict what is going to happen in the next few weeks and months with Brexit, what we can do is put in place the tools we need to safeguard our businesses, to help them retain and grow customer bases and protect from the increasing threat of cyber crime. If you would like to know more about our PCI DSS compliant card payment solutions, visit our Solutions page or get in touch to discuss your needs.

And don’t forget, we’re at the Call & Contact Centre Expo next month on 27/28 March at Excel London showcasing our range of PCI compliant card payment solutions for over-the-phone and online transactions. Come see us there on Stand no. 876.

* ‘Global state of digital trust survey and index 2018’, Forbes & Sullivan, commissioned by CA Technologies

** NCSA via PCI Security Standards Council blog ‘Resource for Small Merchants: Common Payment Systems’, February 2019

A revised supplementary guidance document entitled ‘Protecting Telephone-Based Payment Card Data’* was issued in November by PCI SSC (Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council), providing additional advice for businesses on taking payments over the telephone, reducing the risk of fraudulent activity and ensuring that cardholder data is kept secure during every transaction.

The document, that is aimed at businesses of all shapes and sizes, clearly sets out areas and processes that are in scope for PCI DSS and offers practical guidance to address the twelve principles that are fundamental for compliance. It also includes options for where external systems can be implemented that descope the business of certain compliance responsibilities and provide the most secure transaction environment for the customer.

Two of our most popular products fit in to exactly the advice being provided:

PCI Agent: our attended solution

PCI Agent is our ‘attended’ telephony-based solution through which the agent remains on the line at all times with the caller, for those businesses who see value in providing one-to-one customer service throughout the transaction. The system relies on the customer entering their card data via their telephone keypad using DTMF suppression to mask the tones as they are entered and showing only asterisks on the agent’s screen. No data is captured or stored by the business’s network. Instead, the transaction is processed in direct and instant interfacing with the issuing bank.

Because the agent doesn’t see or hear the cardholder data nor the DTMF tones that could identify the details, the system removes entirely the human error risk that so many other processes still feature, therefore fully descoping this area of the business from PCI DSS compliance obligations.

As stated in the supplementary guidance document, ‘A properly designed and deployed DTMF-masking solution can take not only the telephony environment, but also the agent environment and CRM system out of scope. Entities should avoid solutions that leave agent environments in scope unless there is an unavoidable business requirement to do so.’

AUTO IVR: our un-attended solution

Unlike PCI Agent, our Auto IVR solution enables businesses to take over-the-phone payments using an automated call-handling system without the need for an agent to be involved in the transaction. The system takes the customer through the payment process, prompting them to enter their details via their telephone keypad which remain entirely encrypted and hidden from employees at the business. In addition to providing a secure environment for customers, the business saves on the need to employ as many agents and can continue to take payments out of hours.

The guidance document states, ‘When properly implemented, an unattended transaction solution could reduce applicability of PCI DSS requirements to the agent and agent desktop environment.’

All of our solutions are created specially to suit the needs of your business, integrating with your existing telephony and IT systems. They are simple to set up, easy to use and flexible so that changes can be made as the business grows and develops. Best of all, we don’t charge the earth and our costs are clear from the beginning so there’ll be no hidden surprises once you’re up and running.

Want to know more? Get in touch with us here or visit our Solutions page for more information. Alternatively, come and see us at next year’s Call & Contact Centre Expo 2019 (stand no. 876), 27-28 March at Excel London.

*Read the full version of the PCI SSC report ‘Protecting telephone-based card payment data’ November 2018 here.

The shopping season will very soon be upon us when shoppers go crazy for a bargain on Black Friday and hunt frantically for the perfect gifts for Christmas. How a business handles this increase in trade can take some planning, ensuring your systems are ready for the rise in demand to keep the business going and customers happy.  While the focus is often on marketing and tweaking the product offering, many forget to think about the purchasing process be it online or over the phone, leading to bad customer experiences and overloaded workforce.

There’s a simple way to avoid this. Investing in a card payment transaction system that works for your business will support you through the busy times and beyond. Here’s how:

Speed up the payment process

No customer wants to sit on hold. And no business should be happy about it either – a frustrated customer is less likely to spend money with you and much more likely to go to your competitor. Moving to a payment system that is faster and more efficient means you’ll be able to process more calls and transactions in less time – a win win all round.

Choosing to install a cloud-based solution, like those in our PCI Agent suite, offers flexibility and scalability to handle higher demand during busy periods by enabling you to add and remove users as required and ensuring you have the right amount of staff available to manage calls effectively. Add to that our Auto IFR solution enabling purchases and payments out of hours, without the need for a call handler, and you have yourself an all-round solution that delivers a positive purchasing experience for the customer, meaning they’ll be more inclined to return in future.

Integrate with back end systems

Investing in a system that works with other back end processes such as CRM database and stock monitoring means that you can deliver the best possible service to customers and while supporting other business functions. At PCI Telecom, our card transaction solutions support payments made over the phone as well as online and integrate seamlessly with other business functions. This includes monitoring and analysing traffic so that you can plan for the busy periods.

Protect customer payment card data

Many small businesses make the mistake of thinking that they are under the radar when it comes to cyber attack and too small to be of interest to hackers. Actually, small businesses are just as vulnerable to attack and perceived to be easier targets, especially at this time of year. Making sure you’re up to speed with the latest PCI compliance recommendations relevant to the size of your business is a must. Alternatively, descoping your business from its PCI DSS compliance obligations by outsourcing your card payment system to an external provider, such as us, means you’ll free up more time to focus on managing your core business of delivering products and services to your customer. Our PCI compliant card payment solutions feature end to end encryption so at no point is your client card data accessible to staff and transactions are carried out directly between our cloud-based system and the issuing bank avoiding the risk of data breach.

We know from working with clients that the one size fits all approach to creating card payment processing systems doesn’t always work for smaller businesses who feel the peaks and troughs of variances in sales more intensely than their larger counterparts. That’s why we have created a suite of solutions that can be adjusted to suit the needs of businesses of any shape and size. Our solutions are cloud-based, affordable, flexible and meet all the criteria for complying with PCI DSS guidelines. To find out more, visit our solutions page or to talk through your requirements, get in touch here.

According to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), reported data security incidents rose significantly in the final quarter, Jan-Mar, of the 2017/18 financial year, up 17% from the previous quarter with the five most common causes put down to human error. While some of this increase could be related to greater consumer awareness of data protection in the lead up to the launch of GDPR legislation, it highlights the need for businesses to be aware of the risks associated with human error when it comes to protecting their customers’ data.

While we like to think that our staff are always alert and have the business’s best interests at heart, that might not always be the case. It only takes one careless mistake or a disgruntled employee to cause a significant amount of chaos and could cost you not only a vast amount of money to sort and pay the potential fines for breaking data protection laws but even worse, cause irreparable damage to your business brand.

So what steps can businesses take to protect themselves from human error leading to a data breach? We know that businesses find PCI DSS compliance a headache and it can be particularly challenging for small businesses, limited by budget and resources. However, believe it or not, it isn’t just about ticking boxes. Going through the process of becoming PCI DSS compliant and maintaining that compliance will help to protect your business too by ensuring that you employ robust systems and that reliable processes and procedures are in place to deal with a breach should one occur. These include:

• Creating and implementing a clear policy with regard to the handling of customer data that is adhered to by everyone from board level through to customer-facing staff. This should be communicated during the induction period and in a staff handbook with regular updates when necessary.
• Relevant and consistent training carried out regularly for new and existing staff so that all are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to protecting customer data, what they should look out for and how to deal with suspicious activity.
• An organisation-wide knowledge and understanding of data protection and PCI DSS compliance and the possible consequences if rules are broken and a breach of data occurs.

While loss of customers’ personal information is a problem, a breach of their card payment details is serious. You can remove a significant level of risk by implementing a secure card payment processing system to avoid potential mishaps with customer card details. Here at PCI Telecom, we create card payment processing solutions that are PCI DSS compliant with Level 1 accreditation. That means, as a small business, you can get a card processing solution with PCI compliance at a level equivalent to that required by your larger corporate counterparts. For payments made over the phone using our PCI Agent solution, card details are kept hidden from the call handler, encrypting them on entry by the customer via their phone keypad even though they remain on the line at all times – no need to be transferred to an external service and entirely secure. The system is cloud-based so there’s no requirement for equipment being installed on-site, keeping initial capital outlay very low. This, along with low set up costs and ongoing transaction charges makes our card processing system the perfect solution for small and medium sized business budgets.

Visit our Solutions page to find out more or get in touch today.

To read the latest statistics on reported data security incidents visit the ICO website.

Being put on hold or being passed between different departments are some of the biggest bugbears for 21^st century consumers. But for businesses, especially SMEs, managing incoming calls and taking card payments over the phone creates all sorts of challenges and risks. ‘Card not present’ (or CNP) payments involve a much higher chance of fraud compared to in-store transactions so getting the right system in place is crucial when it comes to maintaining data security and PCI DSS compliance while at the same time keeping the customer happy.

Which is why we’re so excited to launch our brand new, revolutionary PCI Agent TFR solution. Gone are the days of expensive and arduous over-the-phone card transactions. Created especially for SMEs, PCI Agent TFR paves the way for businesses to introduce a PCI DSS compliant, live operator, card payment solution that works for both the company and the customer without costing the earth.

How does it work?

Designed for businesses with up to 100 operators with individual DDIs (Direct Dial In numbers), the PCI Agent TFR solution enables customers to input their card details via their telephone keypad into a secure system while remaining on the line to the live operator, with no need to interrupt the call or be transferred to a third party contact centre. The process is quick and easy and entirely secure.

Watch our short video on how the system works from the operator’s perspective here.

What are the benefits for SMEs?

Entirely hosted off site

The system is hosted by us so doesn’t require any intrusive bits of equipment to be installed on site. This makes it easy to maintain and tweak as and when required and there’s no need to arrange for engineers to visit when you want to make changes.

Cost effective

We know that for small businesses, keeping costs to a minimum is important. No expensive bits of equipment mean set up charges remain low. There are no additional call charges or costs for modifications such as call recording and we also maintain low monthly agent license and ‘secure mode’ transaction charges.

PCI DSS compliant to Level 1 standard

The card payment process is totally secure and adheres to PCI DSS compliance regulations at a Level 1 standard. The operator hears no DTMF tones when card details are being inputted and card numbers don’t appear on the screen, keeping the data entirely hidden and encrypted on a cloud based server.

Smooth interaction with the customer

Customers stay in control, inputting their own card details so there’s no need for them to read sensitive information out loud, reducing the risk of their details being syphoned. Data security means a lot to today’s customer so enabling them to pay in a safe and secure environment can give you that competitive edge over your competitors.

Flexible to fit in with the needs of your business

We’re a small business too so we understand that sometimes an ‘off-the-shelf’ solution doesn’t always tick all the boxes. We can create a card payment solution that fits in with all your business’s needs while at the same time still maintaining that PCI DSS Level 1 accredited standard. You get to keep your existing telephone numbers and the system can be tweaked to add new features – such as call recording – at any time.

This new solution sits amongst our other three PCI Agent solutions, designed to cover the needs of all types of business – PCI Agent, PCI Agent Outbound and PCI Agent Advance. Find out more about these along with our other PCI DSS card payment solutions here.

With PCI DSS 3.2 now in place plus the forthcoming introduction of GDPR legislation next month, businesses are finding their focus is being forced to shift ever more towards the security of customer data.  For many businesses, the road to compliance can appear daunting and costly. So what is the best way to tackle these changes in data security expectations? Is adding to what you’ve already got enough or are you better off going back to basics and starting from scratch?

What are the PCI DSS requirements for my business?

Any business that accepts card payments, be it in person, over the phone or online, is required to meet PCI DSS guidelines at a level that is relevant to their business, based on the volume of card payments that are processed annually.  The relevant level and, for those for whom self -assessment applies, the correct Self- Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), should be the starting point for you to address what is required for your PCI DSS compliance and help you to define the changes that need to be made to your card payment system and processes.

How robust is your existing system?

If you’re failing to meet the criteria for compliance then stripping your system and heading back to basics could be the most effective means of addressing the issue of protecting your customer data and card payments from a data breach. If you’re currently missing the mark when it comes to PCI compliance then chances are you’re probably not meeting required general data protection procedures either. Luckily going through the process of becoming PCI compliant will take you closer to achieving GDPR obligations too.

It’s a good idea to regularly undertake vulnerability scans and penetration testing of your computers, systems and networks to highlight weaknesses that hackers could potentially exploit. If your system has been kept up to date then introducing increased security measures such as multifactor authentication (a new requirement for PCI DSS v3.2) and end-to-end encryption shouldn’t be an issue.

See PCI DSS compliance and GDPR as an opportunity rather than a burden

The introduction of new regulations gives businesses the chance to re-evaluate existing systems and procedures not just to comply with revised guidelines but to look at the payment process as a whole. How do you currently accept payments and what data do you store, process and transmit? Is there a different approach that could be more efficient AND provide a better experience for your customers?

There is no doubt that data security guidelines are here to stay and will develop further in future so bringing your system in line with this new legislation now will make it easier for you to adapt. And as new requirements stipulate that you show evidence of continuous compliance then you need to find a permanent solution, rather than one that simply gets you through PCI DSS assessment. Whatever your approach, to sit back and do nothing is most definitely a no-no. Quite rightly, it is expected that your business takes the issue of protecting customer data seriously, making it a daily priority and not a checklist to achieve compliance.

At PCI Telecom, we create bespoke card processing systems for over-the-phone and online payments that are accredited to a PCI DSS Level 1 standard. Our systems can be installed from scratch or designed to interface with your existing database and accounting functions. Find out more about our Solutions here.

The new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets out that every company should have a designated individual overseeing data protection – not in terms of deciding what data to store, but ensuring that procedures and policies are in place and knowing what to do should a breach occur. And the same goes for PCI DSS.

But that doesn’t mean that ensuring a company’s compliance is down to one person or department alone. In every organisation, there is always the temptation to ‘pass the buck’ on something that isn’t necessarily the specialisation of the team but actually, in order for the procedures to be effective, everyone in the business needs to contribute. Here are just a few examples of the roles that different teams will play.

IT

So often, the obvious choice is to place all responsibility for PCI DSS onto the team that runs and manages the IT network. They play an important role in putting firewalls in place that are robust and up to date as well as ensuring that customer data is being processed in a secure environment and that no cracks appear in the integration between the various systems and databases. The hackers are consistently developing new clever ways to infiltrate systems so IT teams have to evolve with new technologies to keep a data breach at bay. But to do this they need the support of…

Business owners/ senior management

It’s often tempting for business owners and directors to bury their heads in the sand and have an ‘it’ll never happen to us’ attitude when it comes to data protection and cyber security. A dangerous approach to have when data breaches are consistently on the rise, affecting businesses of all shapes and sizes, and the repercussions of not being compliant can destroy the future of the organisation.

Sensible senior management teams, business owners and management boards are very much aware of the risks associated with not being PCI DSS compliant. Ready to invest adequate funds for up to date secure systems and software, they see cyber security as a necessity and an opportunity to improve their relationship with the customer.

A top-down approach is crucial – a survey by ClearSwift in 2015 showed that, worryingly, 22% of employees think they have no responsibilities relating to data security. Management has to oversee the establishment of corporate policies to ensure that knowledge of the risks and responsibilities stretches throughout the organisation. To do this, they need to enlist the commitment of…

Human resources

The HR team is responsible for organising induction and training programmes to maintain the skills of the workforce to a standard required for the business and this should include topics relating to data protection and cyber security. In addition to training, ensuring the staff handbooks are up to date with information relating to the company’s data protection commitments is essential, as is providing clear guidance on what to do if they notice suspicious activity within the database and payment systems.

Call handlers/agents

Technology will only ever be as good as the people that use it. While companies can throw themselves into preventing a security breach, they are reliant on the commitment and efficiency of their staff to prevent weaknesses in the payment process, to look out for the signs of a breach and to know what to do if and when it happens.

At PCI Telecom, we create secure card payment systems that work for your business, be it for payments over the phone or online. Our card payment solutions feature end-to-end encryption and have PCI DSS Level 1 accreditation. Find out more about passing on your PCI DSS compliance responsibilities to us AND getting a card payment system built bespoke for your business by giving us a call today.

For many businesses, the Black Friday / Cyber Monday weekend is a very lucrative time of year, scooping incredible profits, winning market share and gaining new customers. But it can also cause the biggest headache, facing the fight against cyber security hacks and data breaches.

Busy businesses and increased sale volumes lead to stretched teams and often loosening of procedures which creates the perfect environment for cybercriminals to showcase their capabilities and, in the worst case scenario, can result in lost revenue, lost customers, lost data and brand damage.

Many businesses think their sites are too small to attract attention but sadly this is not the case. Hackers are more often than not targeting smaller organisations, perceiving them to be less prepared. So how should you be arming your business to protect it from a cyber attack?

Informed employees

Your staff are the greatest asset you have in the fight against cybercrime. The best defence against an attack is the ability to recognise it early to minimise the impact so employees at every level should be well-informed and educated on what to look out for.

There should be an organisation-wide approach to tackling the cyber security threat, rather than the responsibility of one department, with investment in expertise and training worth every penny to ensure that all understand the potential risks and the impact that a data breach could have on the business.

Employing temporary staff during the busy period? It is vital that they are up to speed with procedures too or that extra supervision is in place. Would they recognise a potential threat and do they know who to report it to?

A robust IT and phone system

While your staff are your greatest asset, it is crucial that they have most effective tools at their fingertips. A card payment system that enables customers to enter their information either online or over the phone, encrypting and protecting the data as it transfers through the payment process so that it can’t be intercepted by hackers, will guarantee the most efficient and secure processing of sales.

Back up your data and make use of a secure replication server to safeguard your data in an environment external to your business. Double check that the latest software updates have been installed and that security certificates and sufficient firewalls are in place and up to date.

Comprehensive policies and procedures

So what do you do if something suspicious appears? The earlier a potential threat is recognised, the sooner the right measures can be undertaken to minimise risk and stem the impact to avoid further damage. Make sure that you have complete procedures in place and that the right people know about them.

Applying appropriate PCI DSS compliance procedures for your business will not only help protect your card payment processing system from hackers but going through the implementation process will also make sure you have the right procedures at the ready should you fall victim to a cyber attack.

At PCI Telecom, we create bespoke card processing systems for payments over the phone or online that are PCI DSS Level 1 accredited. We take the responsibility of PCI DSS compliance and stress of payment data protection and encryption off your shoulders so that you can focus on the day to day management of your core business. Get in touch to find out more about how we can help.

October sees the 5^th anniversary of European Cyber Security Month (ECSM), the EU’s awareness campaign that takes place each year across Europe. The aim is to “raise awareness of cyber security threats, promote cyber security among citizens and organisations; and provide resources to protect themselves online, through education and sharing of good practices.” (www.cybersecuritymonth.eu)

Week 1 (2-6 Oct) is focussed on Cyber Security in Workplace, raising awareness amongst companies, employees, IT professionals & senior management about the current cyber security threat and offering training for prevention. So, as part of this, here are some reminders of things you can do to protect your business from a cyber attack:

1. Adapt new technologies.

   It’s impossible to keep up with every new piece of technology that gets released onto the market but evaluating your database and payment systems on a regular basis, implementing software updates and keeping abreast of new developments is crucial to protecting your business and your customers. While it won’t necessarily prevent breaches from occurring, it will make it much harder for criminal hackers and create a deterrent for future attacks.

2. Educate your employees.

   The most up to date technology can’t help you unless your employees understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding sensitive data and protecting the company’s resources. Proper training will help employees to detect and deter different attacks. They are your most valuable defence in the fight against different threats so be sure to make the most of them.

3. Implement network segmentation

   Segmenting your IT network, including your database and card payment process into different ‘zones’, each with varying security requirements, thwarts hackers from accessing complete customer data and limits the damage that they can cause.

4. Have a plan in place.

   If the worst case scenario happens and you do fall victim to hackers, breaches in payment data have the potential for significant financial impact so it’s essential to be prepared to react quickly and have a plan in place to notify affected customers and authorities as soon as possible so that they can take appropriate actions and limit further damage.

5. Follow PCI DSS and other best practices.

   Companies that handle card payments are required to comply with standards, such as PCI-DSS, which provide policies and procedures intended to optimise the security of credit and debit card transactions and protect customers against misuse of their personal information. Regularly checking your compliance with these standards will help to ensure that your systems are in the best possible condition to fend attempts at data hacking.

Why not use this Cyber Security Month as a catalyst for examining your card payment processing system and see if you can make improvements in protecting your customer data? At PCI Telecom, we create bespoke card payment processing systems that integrate seamlessly with your networks and databases. We have an accredited Level One certification for PCI DSS compliance with security at the core of everything we do. To find out more about us and how we can help your business, visit our Solutions page.