Akibia Certified As Qualified Data Security Company; One of Select Group of Organizations Certified
Company Introduces Payment Card Industry (PCI) Assessment Services
June 26, 2006
Westborough, MA – June 26, 2006 - Akibia, Inc., a leading independent IT services provider today announced that it is certified as a Qualified Data Security Company. As a result, the company is qualified to perform on-site security audit and assessment services to ensure organizations processing credit cards meet the requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
The PCI Data Security Standard sets requirements for securing credit card data that is stored, processed, or transmitted, to further protect the end customer from identity theft and fraud. On- and off-line retailers, data processors and in fact any business that handles credit card data must meet PCI guidelines. The Standard outlines technology requirements such as the use of data encryption, end-user access control, and activity monitoring and logging. It also includes procedural mandates such as the need to implement formal security policies and vulnerability management programs. It requires companies to validate their compliance via a PCI-certified assessor either annually or quarterly, depending on their transaction levels.
“Protecting customer data is vital to the success of any business,” said Ken Smith, principal engineer at Akibia. “The PCI data security standard sets a strong baseline for protection, but is difficult for many organizations to understand and interpret on their own. Due to our strong technology expertise Akibia can help organizations meet compliance within a sound overall security framework.”
Technology Expertise Differentiates Akibia from other Assessors
Compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard involves understanding business processes and procedures as well as security technologies and best practices that will help safeguard critical data. Akibia is one of the few technology consultants among the 40 Qualified Data Security Companies. As security experts, Akibia helps its customers create a comprehensive security strategy, leveraging industry best practices and best-in-breed technology solutions, while incorporating security compliance requirements. Akibia objectively evaluates its clients’ current security architecture and environment against the PCI requirements, and recommends and implements proactive security measures to ensure industry regulations and guidelines are met. Akibia has specialized in IT services and network security for 20 years and brings significant consulting and systems integration expertise to its customers.
“Akibia works with our clients to create a secure environment and achieve compliance as a result of that,” said Tom Willson, CEO of Akibia. “While all auditors are capable of conducting a PCI Data Security Standard assessment and providing a status report, few can match Akibia’s security consulting and integration expertise. Our customers gain access to the best security knowledge, expertise and resources available in the industry today. Rather than just provide verification or non-compliance notice, we partner with companies to ensure compliance, reduce security risks and threats and attain higher security standards, which in turn ensure greater customer confidence and satisfaction. ”
About Akibia, Inc.
Akibia provides innovative IT solutions that enable leading companies worldwide to optimize, secure, manage and support their mission-critical infrastructure. As an independent advisor, Akibia partners with its customers to deliver solutions that improve the availability and performance of their data center and security infrastructure. Combining expert consulting, integration and support services with world-class customer service, Akibia helps IT organizations maximize the value of their existing infrastructure, while mitigating risk and reducing complexity. Founded as Polaris Service in 1988 and headquartered in Massachusetts, Akibia is an independent services company with offices throughout the United States and Europe.
Akibia is a registered trademark of Akibia, Inc. All other product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification purposes only.