Merchants throughout the UK can now benefit from enhanced security for their point of sale transactions, thanks to Transaction Network Services (NYSE:TNS) achieving Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA DSS) validation for the point of sale payment client; a component of its TNSPay gateway solution for multi-channel retailers.
This validation confirms the application complies with the strict requirements of PA DSS; a software specific validation that sits within the PCI DSS compliancy framework.
PA DSS ensures software vendors develop secure payment applications, reducing the risk of security breaches and fraudulent activity. Any new merchant purchasing a commercially available payment application can now only purchase PA DSS validated products. Additionally, any commercially available payment applications which have already been deployed by merchants cannot be used from 1st July 2012 if not PA DSS validated.
Fintan Byrne, TNS' Vice President and General Manager for UK and Ireland, said: "In today's payment industry security and compliance is paramount, and we are delighted to achieve this crucial validation. Any third party payment application which is newly deployed in a PCI DSS certified environment should be PA DSS validated.
"It is important for merchants to look at their existing payment technology and ensure they meet the necessary standards to bring their systems in line with future compliancy requirements. Leveraging PA DSS validation along with our already PCI DSS certified payment gateway environment, allows us to offer our customers one of the highest levels of security available in the market.
"Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated so it is essential that we continuously help our customers secure cardholder data and reduce levels of fraud. We are committed to delivering reliable and security focused solutions, enabling our customers to safely conduct electronic payment transactions."
Launched in 2008, PA DSS is endorsed by all five global payment card brands: American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB, MasterCard WorldWide and Visa. PA DSS supersedes Visa's Payment Application Best Practices (PABP).
TNSPay, previously branded as CommsXL, is a leading payment gateway in the UK, with a strong reputation for security, reliability and availability. It has been pre-accredited by all leading UK acquirers. The PCI DSS certified, chip and PIN, multi channel payments solution enables merchants to securely accept payments for all point of sale, online and mail/phone order transactions.
TNS connects merchants and retailers to the world's leading banks, acquirers and processors to enable secure, efficient and cost-effective delivery and processing of payments. Its global expertise extends to more than 40 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific regions, with billions of transactions crossing its high-speed global networks each year.