West at Home, a provider of home-based customer contact solutions, has announced its compliance as a Level 1 service provider under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). The company has also announced that it has completed a stringent independent security audit of its Locked-Down Desktop Security Environment.
Apart from achieving PCI-DSS compliant certification, the company has also completed stringent third-party security penetration and vulnerability testing of its West at Home Locked-Down Desktop Security Environment. Many of the Fortune 500 and over 50 of the largest financial services enterprises often call upon the independent security testing company that conducted the assessment to perform risk assessments.
In order to safeguard sensitive data, the service providers must adhere to the 12 industry-wide requirements established PCI Data Security Standard. The 12 requirements fall under general categories such as network security, vulnerability management, access control, monitoring and testing. To remain in compliance, all Level 1 providers must undergo an annual on-site PCI Data Security Assessment by an independent Qualified Security Assessor.
Experts believe that PCI-DSS compliance is a very important addition to the West at Home Locked-Down Desktop solution. This solution helps customers to successfully manage security utilizing the agent's computer, and then proactively test the application for vulnerabilities.
In the days when attack on confidential data is assuming whole new proportions, protecting the customer data is fast becoming a high priority job for many companies. West at Home says that its security measures provide clients with peace of mind that their valuable customer data is safe.
“Inherently, home agent providers face a greater challenge achieving PCI-DSS compliance than brick-and-mortar providers,” said Dan Hicks, senior vice president of home agent business development for West Corporation.
“That's why achieving PCI-DSS compliance specifically for our West at Home program is not only a critical step in providing the highest level of service to our clients, but it clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive and secure home agent model in the industry,” added Hicks.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is Fixed Service Strategies for Mobile Network Operators, brought to you by Comverse (News - Alert).
Raju Shanbhag is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Raju's articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Michelle Robart