VanguardMS and igxglobal, inc. Team to Launch PCI-COMPLY Services to Help Retail Industry Comply with PCI Data Security Standards
Share:
MANSFIELD, Mass., Jan. 15 Although deadlines set by the major credit card issuers have passed, many retail merchants and service providers are still struggling with how to safeguard credit card information and ensure their own compliance with data security standards established by the industry's PCI Security Standards Council. Vanguard Managed Solutions (VanguardMS(TM)), the nation's largest independent provider of managed network and security services, announces it has teamed with igxglobal, a leader in information security services and a certified QSA (Qualified Security Assessor) and ASV (Approved Scanning Vendor), to provide PCI-COMPLY, a comprehensive portfolio of services to assist businesses in achieving and maintaining PCI standards compliance.
"The pressure on retailers and service providers to demonstrate full compliance with credit card security standards is mounting," notes Karen Ayotte, Director of Marketing. "Not only are card issuers requiring stronger safeguards for cardholder data and the networks that carry this information, but today's more educated consumers are also demanding their information be better protected."
According to Barry Johnson, Director of Risk Mitigation at igxglobal, PCI compliance is a multi-step process. "The industry's security standards are quite complex, involving issues like updating security patches, ensuring non- default settings and passwords, and protection of resources that transmit, store or process credit card data. Compliance is applicable to a host of network components that includes firewalls, switchers, routers, wireless access points, and other network and security appliances. Few retailers are adequately prepared to address all this on their own."
The PCI-COMPLY portfolio from VanguardMS and igxglobal includes the following eight services:
o PCI Gap Analysis: An initial review of systems, security methodologies,
processes, to identify compliance gaps and provide preliminary
recommendations.
o PCI Audit and Assessment Services: A comprehensive, annual compliance
audit and assessment tailored to a merchants' category/transaction
level, from a certified QSA (Qualified Security Assessor).
o PCI External Vulnerability/Exploitation Assessment: A quarterly network
scan to enable merchants and service providers to identify security
vulnerabilities in their Internet access points, from a certified ASV
(Approved Scanning Vendor).
o Forensics and Litigation Support Services: A complete solution for
investigating and documenting cyber crimes, providing evidence and
critical data analysis that can be used in legal proceedings.
o Change Management and Compliance Reporting Services: A comprehensive
network security package that helps ensure a secure network; stringent
access control measures; routine monitoring and testing of network-wide
components; ongoing maintenance of an established information security
policy; and the ability to accurately track and report on numerous
required compliance standards.
o SecureGuard Monitor & Alert/Incident Response: An important service
that allows merchants to monitor, report, audit and alert on access to
all system components that process, store or transmit cardholder
information.
o Remote Access: The distribution, setup and on-going maintenance of keys
used for remote worker access including revocation of old or invalid
keys, such as RSA keys.
o Radius Authentication Service: A service that tracks access to
management systems with critical client information, and ensures that
data available on a networking device, including routers and firewalls,
is accessible in an authorized manner only.
The PCI-COMPLY portfolio of services is available now from VanguardMS and igxglobal. The PCI Gap Analysis, Audit/Assessment, Vulnerability/Exploitation Assessment and Forensics/Litigation Services are priced on a per project basis, depending upon the scope of work. The Change Management, SecureGuard Monitor & Alert/Incident Response and Remote Access services are priced as a recurring monthly fee.
About Vanguard Managed Solutions
Headquartered in Mansfield, Mass., Vanguard Managed Solutions (VanguardMS(TM)) is the largest managed services provider in the US not affiliated with a carrier or product manufacturer. By offering managed services at a cost-effective monthly subscription fee, its clients achieve networks that are safe, reliable, and efficient, without making a huge investment in IT support staff and tools. VanguardMS offers a diverse portfolio of premier managed services with the ability to customize based on clients business requirements. The company is ISO 9001:2000 registered. VanguardMS is owned by Platinum Equity, a global organization specializing in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies in a broad range of business markets, including Information technology, software and telecommunications. To date, the firm has acquired more than 60 businesses with more than $15 billion in aggregate annual revenue.
About igxglobal
igxglobal's services and solutions provide our clients with: risk analyses to pinpoint and address vulnerabilities and threats; assessments and audits to ensure compliance with regulations; tools to improve performance and strengthen infrastructure; subject matter experts to provide technical expertise and impartial advice; specialists to resource short term services or long term deployments; and information security intelligence to sustain our clients' infrastructure investments.
These solutions are systematically delivered in our core practice areas:
o Threat Mitigation Services
o Information Technologies
o Professional Services
o Security Operation Services
Whether your requirements warrant strategic or operational solutions, or the implementation is handled by your resources or ours, igxglobal has the experience, expertise and knowledge to enhance your networks performance, infrastructure and security.
Contacts: Karen Ayotte
Vanguard Managed Solutions,
508-261-5070
karenayotte@vanguardms.com
Francine Carb
Markitects
610-687-2200, x301
fcarb@markitects.com
Source: Vanguard Managed Solutions
Web site: http://www.vanguardms.com/
