PEER 1 Hosting has successfully achieved the Level 1 Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification for its managed hosting and co-location data centres worldwide. PEER 1 Hosting’s clients, who handle and process customer card details and transactions, can now be assured that their applications can be supported in a PCI compliant environment, enabling them to focus on their business rather than security.
Data security and compliance are key business drivers for online retailers and other organisations that process credit card transactions. Companies are required to meet the PCI DSS certification and failure to do so can prove costly, resulting in large fines if a data breach takes place as a result of not being compliant.
PCI DSS is a set of robust and comprehensive standards developed to increase payment data security and is endorsed by the major payment card brands: American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa Inc.
This news follows PEER 1 Hosting’s recent announcement that they will acquire NetBenefit, themselves a certified Level 1 PCI DSS managed hosting provider. NetBenefit brings additional skills and a new datacentre for customers requiring low latency services in the London region.
Dominic Monkhouse, EMEA managing director at PEER 1 Hosting comments: “PEER 1 is committed to removing the security challenges and complexities customers face. Delivering a secure IT infrastructure that meets the standards set by the Payment Card Industry Security Council is part of our continuous investment to protect the integrity of our customers’ data and business, providing them with a single process to meet their compliance needs.”
To achieve the industry-recognised standard for payment-card security, PEER 1 Hosting took part in an extensive evaluation and audit. A comprehensive examination of its procedures, policies, technical systems and technology infrastructure was evaluated via a third party qualified security assessor. PEER 1 Hosting’s certification meets all the12 PCI DSS requirements.
Monkhouse continues: “With PEER1’s PCI-certified infrastructure, clients can now focus on running their businesses rather than worry about compliance, safe in the knowledge that the security of their critical payment applications is well guarded using an industry-recognised set of payment-card security standards.”