First there was Target. Then UPS. Then P.F. Chang’s. Now, it’s Home Depot.
Another major retailer has a data breach. Ho-hum.
Credit card fraud fatigue is setting in. With each new story about hackers swiping customer information, there is less and less coverage by the media. But just because the media isn’t as rabid in its coverage, that doesn’t mean we aren’t paying attention. Our team of engineers takes security seriously. We are avidly researching how data breaches occur and studying how they can be prevented. Even better? We aren’t the only ones paying attention to credit card fraud.
On the front line of this high-tech security battle is the PCI Security Standards Council. This group is an open, global forum for developing, enhancing, storing and promoting security standards in an effort to protect account data. Essentially, they work with businesses around the globe educating and raising awareness of the security standards that protect cardholder account data. They are the good guys, setting the standards that keep customer data as secure as possible in an environment where card transactions are exceedingly commonplace.
The battle between credit card hackers and technology providers has always been a back-and-forth, tug-of-war struggle. As the technology gets better, the criminals methodically search for ways to circumvent the security—often succeeding. Shortly thereafter, the tech companies like ARCA and the standard-bearers like the PCI Council close the loophole in the system and it becomes secure again. Rinse. Repeat.
As a hardware provider of credit card transaction equipment, we are proud to be a member of the PCI Security Standards Council. The council’s proactive approach to enhancing organizational security as well as its emphasis on protecting personal data are concepts that we stand behind.
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