The partnership was unveiled at the 2019 North America Community Meeting in Vancouver. The meeting featured a track hosted by the Council and sponsored by Wnet entitled “Closing the Gap with Diversity in Payment Security.” View the PCI SSC and Wnet partnership announcement video featuring the following payment security experts:
• Robin Trickel, CISSP, Vice President, Industry Engagement, American Express Global Network
• Stacy Hughes, CPA, CITP, CRISC, CISM, Senior Vice President - IT Governance, Risk and Compliance, Global Payments Inc and Wnet member
• Amy Zirkle, Board of Advisors PCI SSC, Electronic Transactions Association (ETA)

A recent survey by Cybersecurity Ventures predicted there to be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in 2021. Moderated by Robin Trickel, CISSP, Vice President, Industry Engagement at American Express Global Network and member of the PCI SSC Executive Committee, the panel of global payment security leaders discussed this critical shortfall of cybersecurity professionals and how the industry can address this gap by promoting greater diversity and inclusion.

“Recognizing the challenges our industry faces is a vital step in the right direction. By increasing the profile of women payment security leaders, our industry can help usher in young professionals who may not be aware of the opportunities in the cybersecurity field,” commented Trickel.

Lance Johnson, Executive Director of PCI SSC participated in the diversity panel and addressed the importance of creating a more diverse and equal industry to the 1,240 global payment security professionals in attendance: "The cybersecurity skills deficit is reaching a crucial point. We must increase the number and quality of cyber and payment security professionals. A vital foundation for that is for leaders and advocates, both female and male, to pave the way for the next generation of female cybersecurity practitioners and professionals. I am very proud about the partnership that PCI SSC has forged with Wnet which will bring awareness to the gender gap in payment security.”

“We are delighted to be joining forces with PCI SSC to advance, advocate and highlight women as leaders across the payments security industry. Our partnership with PCI SSC is one more way Wnet’s education, mentoring and network-building programs ensure that the payments landscape becomes stronger and more profitable. Partnerships and programs that improve creativity, productivity and strategic leadership drive a diverse, empowered workforce,” said Wnet Executive Director Lisl Dutterer.

To help raise the profile of women leaders in the payment security field, the PCI Perspectives blog recently featured a profile on Emma Sutcliffe, Head of Standards for the PCI Security Standards Council and member of the PCI SSC senior leadership team. In the blog post, Sutcliffe notes that trainings such as PCI Awareness and PCI Professional courses are good options for emerging leaders looking for entry-level payment security training. Wnet’s Leadership blog regularly features thought leadership from Wnet payment and fintech leaders such as Wnet Board of Advisor Beth Deck, Netspend’s Senior Vice President of Accounting and Finance.