In an earlier blog, we told you about how the PCI Security Standards Council (SSC) released a series of short training videos that make learning about PCI compliance just a little more entertaining.  The second video in their series focuses on passwords and why implementing a strong password is important.  The creative geniuses at the PCI SSC made this video especially entertaining by comparing an easy to remember password (1234) to a beautiful woman.

Check out their second video for yourself, Password Protection.

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In an effort to educate merchants as well as keep them entertained, the PCI Security Standards Council (SSC) has released a series of short training videos that use humor to make learning about PCI compliance fun. The purpose of the videos is to show merchants the importance of securing payment card data at their place of business.

Check out their first video, Introduction to Payment Card Security.

While these videos may not have the most informative approach, they definitely could have the ability to grab the attention of a whole new segment of merchants who have not been receptive to the PCI SSC’s past approaches. (more…)

Your customers trust that you are providing them with the best products and service but are you providing them the best in regards to protecting their credit and debit card information? You have a legal obligation as a merchant to protect your customers’ cardholder data and maintain PCI compliance.  But what is PCI compliance exactly?

Watch our latest video, PCI Introduction by SecureConnect, to get a better understanding on a notoriously confusing topic.  It can be especially confusing to someone who does not have considerable technology knowledge and therefore it is often best left up to the experts, like SecureConnect.

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The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council has tried many different approaches to getting merchants interested in PCI Compliance.  In an effort to grab merchants’ attention, the PCI SSC has put out animated videos that are based more on humor than the typical dry education and information.   The videos provide insight into what PCI compliance is, however, they do so in a fun, light-hearted manner.

The first video the PCI SSC released was PCI Data Security Standards Rock. The video took the complex task of the PCI compliance requirements and simplified the message.  The entire video is conveyed through song and focuses on the basic concepts of all 12 requirements using humor and imagery to keep viewers’ attention.

The latest video released by the PCI SSC is The Evolution of Payment Card Security.  This video shows silly ways in which security practices may have evolved over time as they relate to payment cards, (or as they say the caveman referred to them, the payment rock).  The video is very entertaining.  Check it out for yourself!

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

Requirement 8 of the PCI DSS: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access – Part 1

The PCI DSS says that, “Assigning a unique identification (ID) to each person with access ensures that each individual is uniquely accountable for his or her actions. When such accountability is in place, actions taken on critical data and systems are performed by, and can be traced to, known and authorized users.”

Usernames, passwords, two-factor authentication, biometrics, user access, password policies; are you overwhelmed yet?  After reading this blog I hope you find requirement 8 of the PCI DSS a bit more user friendly.  I have worked with a number of merchants, even some POS vendors who do not understand the importance of unique usernames and passwords.  Having your users set up with unique usernames and passwords is going to make things significantly easier to manage, monitor and track if something were to go wrong.  I have broken requirement 8 into two manageable blog parts due to the amount of detail and information involved with the requirement.  Part one of this two part blog will focus on the importance of having your users set up with unique user ID’s and passwords, and how that will help you manage your environment easier.  (more…)