Special Ops Security Is Approved As A Mastercard Site Data Protection Scanning Vendor
MasterCard certified Special Ops Security to participate in the Site Data Protection program. All online merchants affiliated with MasterCard must have an approved security company evaluate their storage systems for vulnerabilities.
Newport Beach, California--(PRWEB via PR
Web Direct) August 4, 2005--Special Ops Security, a company that delivers
tactical and strategic solutions that optimize the people, processes and
technology that protect customer data, announced today that they have
successfully completed the MasterCard Site Data Protection (SDP) scanning vendor
testing process. As an SDP approved scanning vendor, Special Ops Security is
allowed to help online merchants evaluate the security of their Web sites that
store MasterCard account data, and achieve compliance with the Payment Card
Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard.
Special Ops Security achieved
approved status on May 31, 2005, by proving their ability to detect, identify
and report vulnerabilities common to flawed web site architectures and
configurations. These vulnerabilities, if not patched in actual merchant Web
sites, could potentially lead to an unauthorized intrusion. By proactively
identifying and providing the opportunity to remedy such vulnerabilities,
SDP-approved scanning solutions offer a means for reducing risk of intrusion and
data compromise.
The SDP Scanning Vendor Approval Process is an
expansion of MasterCard's Site Data Protection Program(tm), a comprehensive,
proactive and cost-effective program designed to help protect the online and
physical infrastructures of its customer financial institutions, merchants and
other payment processors holding MasterCard account information.
"The
high standards set forth by MasterCard in its approval process makes its
well-respected Site Data Protection Program a model for other industries," said
Erik Pace Birkholz, president and founder of Special Ops Security. "We worked
hard on obtaining approval and were delighted when Special Ops Security was
approved on its very first attempt."
"The Site Data Protection Vendor
Approval Process reflects our ongoing commitment to helping our customers and
online merchants evaluate and improve the security of their online and physical
sites in a timely and affordable manner. The end result we are striving for --
improved overall channel security -- is a win-win for all parties involved,"
said Stephen Orfei, senior vice president and head of the MasterCard e-Commerce
Center of Excellence.
The Scanning Vendor
Approval Program requires a two-step process. The first step is to complete an
online application form, which can be found at the SDP Web site. The application
provides MasterCard with an overview of the applying organization, along with a
detailed assertion by the security vendor that their solution is compliant with
or exceeds the requirements set forth in the PCI Data Security Standard. After
applying for compliance testing, the second step is for vendors to undergo a
rigorous evaluation cycle that spans across a wide range of Web servers,
firewalls, and operating systems – an environment controlled and managed by
MasterCard.
ABOUT MASTERCARD SDP
The MasterCard Site Data Protection
Program is a proactive, cost-effective, global solution offered by MasterCard
through its acquiring members. The program provides acquiring customers with the
ability to deploy security compliance programs, assisting online merchants and
Member Service Providers to better protect against hacker intrusions and account
data compromises. The program takes a proactive approach to security by
identifying common possible vulnerabilities in a merchant web site and makes
recommendations for short-and long-term security improvements. The solution
addresses the security issues that online merchants and their acquiring banks
face in the virtual world, and concerns arising from these issues, such as
Internet fraud, chargebacks, brand image damage, consumer information safety and
privacy and the cost of replacing stolen account numbers.
ABOUT SPECIAL
OPS SECURITY
Headquartered in Orange County, California, Special Ops
Security, Inc. is a privately held company that meets the growing demand for
specialized information security knowledge by blending consulting, training and
technology into a new, hybrid educational solution for our customers. We are
committed to delivering tactical and strategic solutions that optimize the
people, processes and technology that protect customer data. For more
information visit our web site at www.SpecialOpsSecurity.com or contact us toll-free at
888-R-U-OWNED.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Christina Rae
MasterCard
International
914-249-4606
Steven Andres
Special Ops
Security
888-R-U-OWNED x111
PRESS CENTER
http://SpecialOpsSecurity.com/news/2005/10/
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb269642.htm