Las Vegas (February 14, 2008) – The recent announcement by the PCI Security Standards Council of an updated Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) makes it more advantageous than ever for merchants to outsource credit card information storage and processing. According to Shift4 Corporation, a leading developer of payment processing software, merchants now have a greater incentive to select the outsource model.
The new questionnaire covers small and mid-sized merchants that typically are not required to have on-site PCI compliance assessments. Merchants who outsource card information storage and processing will now use the simplified “SAQ A” assessment, rather than more stringent self assessment regimens.
Shift4 Corporation offers merchants a way to reduce the resources devoted to self assessment and attain real security at the same time. “The card information replacement outsourcing model pioneered by Shift4 removes all useable card information from merchant systems and transfers responsibility for protecting it from the merchant to Shift4,” said J. D. Oder II, Chief Technology Officer and founder of Shift4. “As a result, our DOLLARS ON THE NET® and 4Go SecureSuite™ solutions qualify merchants for the less burdensome SAQ A.”
The primary objective of Shift4’s card information replacement technology is to enable businesses to operate normally while not storing the sensitive information that is the target of thieves. “They can't steal what you don't have,” said Oder.
“We congratulate the PCI Council for taking a major step to reduce the burden on small and mid-sized merchants who want to focus on their core business, rather than complex questionnaires, and who also want to demonstrate PCI compliance,” Oder added.
In addition to protecting the merchant, Shift4's approach to credit card transaction security directly benefits acquiring banks which are ultimately responsible for the fines associated with a breach resulting in credit card data theft. Consumers also benefit by having the assurance that their personal information is protected in a secure third party environment.
Shift4, a leading developer of secure financial transaction processing software and services, provides web-based, real-time enterprise payment solutions for leaders in the hospitality, retail, foodservices, auto rental and e-commerce markets. Through connectivity to most major processors, DOLLARS ON THE NET® provides both high speed and low cost authorizations and settlements for credit, debit, check, private label and gift card transactions. DOLLARS ON THE NET also includes the ability to access, review and edit transactions prior to settlement, as well as a searchable, 24-month archive of transactions for reporting and charge back defense. For more information, contact John Mann, Vice President of Sales, (702) 597-2480 x3419 or jmann@shift4.com, or visit www.shift4.com.
Randy Carr
Vice President of Marketing
Shift4 Corporation
702-597-2480 ext. 3433
randy@shift4.com
Bill Graulty
Account Supervisor
Mintz & Hoke
860-679-9761
shift4@mintz-hoke.com
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