PCI: Why Compliance Is Important to Your Hotel Company

August 3, 2010

PCI: Why Compliance Is Important to Your Hotel Company

Warren Dehanrecently contributed to a Hotel World Network podcast about the new Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard – known as PCI – and its impact on operators.  Here are three important points Warren discussed:

What is PCI?  The PCI ‘standards’ are a set of data security requirements that all service providers and merchants that take credit card payments, including hotels, must comply with.  The deadline for validated compliance was July 1, 2010.  The mandated PCI standards were developed to protect cardholder information by Visa Inc. and four other founding payment brands of the PCI Security Standards Council. 

Why is Compliance Important?  PCI compliance is important because merchants who do not comply with PCI standards risk serious financial and legal consequences if their property is breached and guest credit card data is stolen.  If your property’s database is hacked, the FBI may conduct a forensic investigation of your security to assess the extent of the data loss and the level of the fraud and culpability involved.  Additionally, Visa/Master Card will levy fines mandated by recent legislation.  It goes without saying; these issues are best dealt with before they become a problem. 

What Can You Do?  NORTHWIND is available to help clients protect their guest data against fraud and assist them in complying with the July 1, 2010 PCI deadline.  Maestro was certified fully compliant with PCI standards by the PCI Security Standards Council.  Although NORTHWIND is not a qualified security assessor, our team can direct you to qualified companies that will help you towards compliance as quickly as possible.  Additionally, important documentation on PCI compliance is available in our Maestro client user area. 

Complying with the PCI data security standard is essential for all operators today.  If you would like more information, NORTHWIND has qualified team members who are ready to answer your questions.  Please contact your Maestro support representative.