safety and security of customer dataYou may not be aware that as a small business owner, you are responsible for the safety and security of  customer data.  In case you missed it, Google is making a big push to improve protection of privacy and security of consumer data.  This effort serves to encourage businesses of all sizes to provide a SSL security certificate, letting consumers know that your site provides protection for any information they give you. This applies especially to sales that use credit cards for payment.

 

Safety and Security Using SSL Security Certificates

Changing the beginning of your company website’s URL address from http:// to https:// lets customers visiting your website know that their private data will be encrypted and secure from hackers.  As data is sent back and forth across Cyberspace, a code encrypts data, making it impossible to intercept and use for nefarious reasons.  Nobody wants to be a victim of identity theft. We expect security assurance from companies we deal with.  Why would we assume our own customers don’t have the same expectations?

As small business owners, we have a responsibility to consumers to protect their private information.  Major corporations, most recently, credit information giant Equifax, fall victim to hackers on a large scale.  Customer data like birth dates, drivers’ licenses, social security numbers and more have fallen into the hands of unscrupulous hackers.  Hackers who are only too willing to sell that information.  Safety and security of customer data is very important to your customers and should be for you.

PCI Compliancy For Customer Data Safety and Security

safety and security of customer dataGetting a security certificate, which adds that small, but important, little ‘S’ to your website URL address is one step toward customers’ peace of mind.  There are other steps you can take to protect the data your customers have entrusted to you.  If you sell products or services and accept payment via credit cards, that element of your business must be secure.  You may also never have heard of a Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. The PCI standard was set up to help protect consumers using credit cards.  A council, established by the major credit card companies set the first draft of these standards back in 2004.

This action adds another level of protection for holders of their credit cards by setting standards under which those accepting their cards must operate.  If you haven’t heard of these standards and how they affect your small business, you need to find out. If you want customers to buy from you, using credit cards, safety and security of customer data is your responsibility.

FAQs and Myths About PCI Compliance

It is in your best interest to spend a few minutes reviewing this information to assure your company is in compliance with the standards set by the credit card industry.  Check writing is becoming a thing of the past, as is paying with cash.  Credit and debit cards are the most common methods of payment in today’s marketplace.  You need to be aware of your responsibilities.  The slideshow below from BluePay, covers some FAQs and myths revolving around Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards compliance.   Protect your customers.  Protect your business.

 

 

Kristen Gramigna

Kristen Gramigna is Chief Marketing Officer for BluePay, a credit card processing firm. She has more than 20 years experience in the bankcard industry in direct sales, sales management and marketing. Follow her on Twitter at @BluePay_CMO.