Visa Sets Software Security Deadlines

SAN FRANCISCO — Visa has announced global requirements for financial institutions to ensure merchant customers and agents use secure payment applications.

With the requirements, payment application providers and service providers must not store prohibited data elements and adhere to the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Payment Application Data.

A deadline has been set for July 1, 2010, for U.S. and Canada Visa acquirers to ensure Data Security Standard (DSS) compliant applications are being used.

In Asia Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Visa acquirers the deadlines for Visa acquires also is July 1, 2010. By July 2012, however, those acquirers must ensure existing merchants and agents in the Visa network use DSS compliant applications.

In a press release, Visa said that vulnerable payment applications are a major cause of credit card fraud.

"Criminals are targeting certain versions of software known to have security vulnerabilities," said Eduardo Perez, Visa’s head of global data security. "It's essential that every business that handles payment card information adhere to the highest data protection standards to protect the security and privacy of their customers' financial information."

The company also said it recommends merchant and agents ask their payment application vendors, resellers or system integrators to confirm that software versions used don’t store magnetic strip data, PIN or security codes.

As a payment service provider CCBill is responsible for maintaining a Level 1 PCI DSS compliance — which is the highest level of compliance.

“With our PCI DSS compliance, we are responsible for an annual onsite audit by a qualified security assessor,” CCBill Vice President of Marketing Laurie Biviano told XBIZ. “During these audits, our auditing firm inspects a range of security initiatives in our systems, process flow, resource pools, infrastructure and facilities.

“CCBill follows a methodology that acknowledges the Visa protocols and the PCI DSS as a foundation to our data security. But to achieve the higher levels of security that we [and our clients] demand of ourselves, we take a more holistic approach and incorporate security into all of our processes, assets and resources, instead of focusing on a ‘checklist.’ Thus, the PCI DSS and Visa protocols are good starting points and an integral part of any security policy.

Internet payment services provider CommerceGate renewed its certification as a Level 1 PCI-DSS compliant merchant in late July.

"We are very proud to continue to operate at the highest level of PCI compliance,” CommerceGate CEO Bjorn Skarlen said in an earlier report. “It makes perfect business sense to us, as we strive to offer the safest and best solutions on the market. Our certification demonstrates our dedication to maximum security and anti-fraud measures, and it is good to be able to show that our hard work is really paying off."

CommereGate also offers 3D Secure, which is used as an optional added layer of security for online credit and debit card transactions. It was developed by Visa to improve the security of Internet payments and is offered to customers as the Verified by Visa service. MasterCard offers a similar service called MasterCard SecureCode.

"The more trust we can inspire in the end user, the better," Skarlen said. "Knowing that their credit card information and money are safe means that customers are more confident signing up and also likely to spend more money per transaction, which in turn improves the profits of our clients."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos Joins ProDx Health Advisory Board

Dr. Charlotte Gaydos has joined the Advisory Board of ProDx Health.

Angelface Baddies Debuts 'Daddies for Baddies' Line

Wellness brand Angelface Baddies has introduced its new Daddies for Baddies line of men's wellness products.

Aylo Fined $5 Million as FTC, Utah Settle Safety Practices Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Utah on Wednesday settled a complaint against Aylo, requiring the company to pay a $5 million penalty and implement measures to prevent illegal content from appearing on its sites.

New AI Companion Platform 'Pornstar.love' Launches

Pornstar.love, a new AI companion platform, has officially launched.

Orion Debuts 'RC Vibrating Butt Plug' From 'Anos' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the RC Vibrating Butt Plug with Flexible Arms from its Anos line.

Playharda Wholesale, Pure Envy Ink European Distribution Deal

Playharda Wholesale has signed a deal with pleasure brand Pure Envy for distribution in the U.K. and Europe.

Pineapple Support, Stripchat to Host 'Navigating Thoughts of Suicide' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Stripchat are hosting a free online support group to help performers deal with suicidal ideation.

XR Brands Launches 'Creature Cocks' Line

XR Brands has introduced its new Creature Cocks collection of men's underwear.

Plaiir Names Cade Maddox as Lead of Creator Relations

Networking platform Plaiir has appointed Cade Maddox as its new lead of creator relations.

Go.cam Launches 'One-Line Integration' Verification Solution

Go.cam has introduced a one-line code integration for age verification.

Show More