The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is an aspect of data security no one — including higher education administrators — can afford to neglect. That’s why Heartland, in conjunction with 403 Labs, is offering a webinar series on PCI compliance designed specifically for campus administrators. In these sessions, we’ll:

• Review PCI regulations
• Explain how to achieve compliance
• Uncover how third-party service providers can help lower – but never eliminate – PCI scope
• Debunk PCI myths, and
• Explore helpful resources at your disposal

To learn more and register, visit 1card.com/webinars today!

Congratulations to Bob Carr, Heartland’s chairman and chief executive officer, on his re-election as Associate Member Director of the Secure POS Vendor Alliance (SPVA)! We also extend a warm congratulations to the rest of the Board:

• Paul Rasori – SPVA Chairman
  VeriFone, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing
• Christopher Coonen – SPVA Vice Chairman / Chief Technical Officer
  Ingenico, EVP, Global Solutions, Sales & Marketing
• T.K. Cheung – SPVA Secretary / Treasurer
  Hypercom, VP Global Quality & Security
• Thomas Xu – SPVA General Member Director
  PAX Technology, Ltd., Vice President, Marketing & Sales

The SPVA has been instrumental in strengthening payment security standards across the globe with its end-to-end encryption security requirements targeted for vendors of POS devices. Under the guidance of these leaders, the SPVA is sure to continue making significant contributions to the security of the paymens ecosystem in 2011 and beyond.

The announcement of Visa’s Technology Innovation Program has merchants across the globe excited and intrigued. In its February 9 statement, Visa formally introduced this international program that encourages the use of EMV chip technologies for enhanced data security. It even cites that merchants will be exempt from annual PCI DSS validation provided:

• At least 75% of their Visa contact and contactless card transaction originate from EMV chip-enabled terminals
• They have either previously validated PCI DSS compliance or have provided a plan to come into compliance
• They have not been involved in a recent material breach of cardholder data.

Vision. Creativity. Innovation. It’s what keeps the (IT) world turning.

This morning Computerworld revealed its “Premier 100 IT Leaders” – the year’s best and brightest information technology professionals. These leaders are at the helm of profound innovation, delivering game-changing technologies and measurable business value for their organizations and their customers.

Congratulations to all of these leaders, including Heartland’s very own Steve Elefant for his pioneering work in end-to-end encryption and payment card data security!

We’ve seen a few recent news stories reporting that many small business owners think cybercrime won’t happen to them, and while we agree merchants need to be better educated on the topic and the real risks, we’re witnessing a trend that shows many are taking security threats seriously — and taking action to protect themselves.