RSPA Takes A Seat On The PCI Council Board: What It Means & Why You Should Care
By The Business Solutions Network
Last week it was formally announced that the RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association) was appointed to the 2013-2015 PCI Security Standards Council Board of Advisors. According to a press release issued by the RSPA:
As part of the Board of Advisors, RSPA will represent the PCI community by providing strategic and technical guidance to the PCI Security Standards Council that reflects the varied and unique industry perspective of those across the payment chain. In addition to advising on standards development, as part of the Board of Advisors, RSPA will play a critical role in soliciting feedback and ideas, contributing to Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and helping the Council fulfill its mission to raise awareness and adoption of PCI Standards.
That's great, but why should RSPA members and the retail reseller community at large care about this news? I spoke with Joe Finizio, RSPA CEO and president, about the significance and impact of this appointment.
“This is an opportunity for RSPA to directly represent our members’ needs to the PCI Security Standards Council -- the organization creating the standards for securing credit card transaction data," he says. "It will provide RSPA the opportunity to give our members the visibility they deserve as part of the solution rather than part of the problem." This is a big deal as, historically, retail dealers have been unfairly singled out as the weak link in the chain of payments security.
"This appointment to the board also provides RSPA the opportunity and access to work with other organizations, such as the card brands, to address the issues and burdens of data security," Finizio continues. "Finally, the election by PCISSC Participating Organizations recognizes the work we have all been doing for the past six years to address the issues related to credit card security and becoming trusted advisors for the Merchant community.”
I hope the value of all that sinks in. If you don't attend RSPA events or aren't hip to what this organization is all about, understand this now: While you've been busy focusing on your own business, the RSPA has been championing you, fighting to give you a voice, and leading the way on important topics like credit card security. All that is on top of the top-notch education and great events the association puts on.