Insider: Guarantee Secure Credit Transactions Before you Swipe that Card

By Bob Carr, Chairman & CEO, Heartland Payment Systems

Mr. Bob Carr

Each time a guest hands over a credit card to book a room or check-out, he/she entrusts you with sensitive information. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to safeguard cardholder data against the increasing risk of credit and debit card fraud.   

To ensure that security is a priority, the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council -- an independent organization formed by the leading card associations -- is enforcing its new Data Security Standards (DSS).  Failure to uphold and comply with the PCI DSS may result in fines -- or worse, a compromise to your system. 

However, it takes layers of state-of-the-art security, technology and techniques to avoid a costly security breach and remain compliant with PCI DSS, and many card processors have not made the financial investment required to completely protect their systems – and your business.   

That’s why The Merchant Bill of Rights states that all businesses, regardless of size, have the right to real-time fraud monitoring systems, encrypted card numbers, and secure transactions.  As I’ve discussed in previous articles for Hotel Business Review, this industry initiative calls for fair treatment, competitive costs, solid card security, reasonable equipment costs and top-notch customer service. 

In my article, "Guarantee Secure Credit Transactions Before you Swipe that Card" in the Hotel Business Review, I explain how you can work with your card processor to maintain compliance with PCI DSS and ensure secure transactions. Armed with the facts about the card processing security, I urge you to take the necessary steps to keep your business and customers safe. 

Best Regards, 

Bob Carr

Chairman & CEO

Heartland Payment Systems

Bob.Carr@e-hps.com