Bob Russo General Manager PCI Security Standards Council

The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), an open, global forum for the development of payment card security standards, has announced that PCI Essentials, a new interactive eLearning program to train employees on basic security practices for protecting payment and other sensitive data, is available at a 30% off introductory rate through 31 August, 2014.

PCI DSS v. 3.0 places an increased emphasis on the importance of security awareness education as part of an organization’s payment security efforts.

Designed to help build a culture of security and deliver authoritative and relevant guidance to change unsafe computing habits, PCI Essentials was developed in partnership with strategic eLearning provider, Security Innovation, and is part of PCI’s Security Awareness Education program.

The self-led interactive program contains ten modules, each focused on vital information related to cardholder security and organizational readiness for compliance with PCI DSS, such as: protecting cardholder data; password practices; email and browser security; avoiding social engineering; mobile device and tablet security; social media safety; security while working remotely; avoiding malicious downloads; updating software and anti-virus programs; and physical security.

“Small businesses and large corporations alike need to address payment security education within their organizations, and PCI Essentials was designed to do just that,” said Bob Russo, General Manager, PCI Security Standards Council. “You’re only as strong as your weakest link. As payment data continues to be a target for criminals, organizations need to make sure they are educating their employees across the business on security practices to protect this information.”

"Security Innovation has worked closely with the PCI SSC to create impactful eLearning training that will drive behavioral change for those tasked with protecting sensitive data,” said Ed Adams, CEO of Security Innovation. “PCI Essentials will have a tangible impact on knowledge retention and staff awareness, and help to reduce the human element risk.”

Courses are available through the Security Innovation Education Portal or they can be hosted by organization’s own Learning Management Systems.

About the PCI Security Standards Council
The PCI Security Standards Council is an open global forum that is responsible for the development, management, education, and awareness of the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and other standards that increase payment data security. Founded in 2006 by the major payment card brands American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard and Visa Inc., the Council has more than 650 Participating Organizations representing merchants, banks, processors and vendors worldwide.