6 Ways Merchant Processing Providers Protect Sensitive Information
By Christine OKelly
When involved with merchant processing, you collect a large amount of personal and financial information. If this information would ever end up in the wrong hands, it could essentially cost you and your past and present customers billions of dollars.
As technology improves and the economy struggles, this danger is becoming more and more prominent. To protect everyone and prevent fraud, those involved with debit and merchant credit card processing must adhere to the Security Standards Council’’s Processing Credit Information Data Security Standards, or PCI DSS.
Using a Secure Network
Since merchant processing has migrated online, securing the entire system from the moment it is collected to where it is stored has become vital. Firewalls and encryption are an important part of this system. In addition, companies make certain not to use any of the defaults supplied with systems by sellers. Often, custom-made programs supplement these systems for added security.
Data Protection
All the data collected throughout merchant credit card processing must be stored for a specific amount of time. When you consider the large amount of information this creates in only a short amount of time, this can be a huge issue. All data centers must have security measures in place to protect this information. Transferring this data from the point of sale to the storage area is also a problem. Therefore, anyone in contact with this information must use encryption any time it’’s transferred through a public domain.
Strengthen Computer Systems
Anyone who deals with sensitive merchant processing information has to take the necessary steps to strengthen their walls of defense on all levels. This means using a quality antivirus program that is updated and maintained properly. Anti-spyware, anti-malware, and applications all need to be preserved as well.
Tight Reins on the Access to Information
Businesses and data centers need several people to keep them running smoothly. Unfortunately, this also means there is more of a chance of theft or fraud. To keep merchant processing information as safe as possible, only those who absolutely have to have access to it should be allowed access. This includes the area where it is stored. Anyone with access to the information must have a unique identifier for tracking purposes.
Tracking and Maintenance
Those involved in merchant credit card processing must track everyone and anything that occurs surrounding this data. Most importantly, they need to review this information and be able to produce it. The steps surrounding the access to information as well as the physical systems and preventive measures are all tested regularly to ensure that everything is still effective.
Keeping Up With Changes
Technology changes all the time, and even when the software hasn”t changed, there is always a chance that someone will find a loophole. Therefore, it is pressing that merchant processing organizations keep up-to-date on the latest security developments and the newest threats. This way, when something new does come up, they know about it and are able to set up the solutions immediately.
With all the dangers out there, merchant processing is not to be taken lightly. If you are looking into dealing with merchant credit card processing, be sure to choose your provider carefully and ask about the methods they have in place to keep everything safe and secure.
About The Author
Christine O”Kelly is an author for BluePay, a merchant processing provider for local and global businesses of all sizes. They specialize in merchant credit card processing, echecks, and more for quick and easy payments.
