Today, the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), a global, open industry standards body providing management of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), PIN Transaction Security (PTS) requirements and the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS), announced a new partnership to offer authorized PCI training in Nigeria, South Africa, Croatia, Turkey and Bahrain.
Organizations in these areas can now benefit from increased understanding of PCI Standards and programs through high quality instructor-led training that meet regional linguistic needs, as well as save time and money on international travel.
As part of a globalization drive, the PCI Security Standards Council will partner with UK based LiquidNexxus, a leading provider of payment system, security, risk and compliance training, to deliver instructor-led courses for their Internal Security Assessor (ISA), PCI Professional (PCIP) and PCI Awareness classes. LiquidNexxus' payment system and information security instructors bring their expertise and experience to the benefit of attendees in all training courses.
"After many years of driving awareness in payment security and risk in Europe and emerging markets, I am delighted to partner with the Council and proud to be part of the PCI Global Training Network", stated Lucas Allen, CEO, LiquidNexxus.
"We look forward to bringing, much needed, education and awareness in the form of PCI Awareness, PCI Professional and PCI Internal Security Assessor training to merchants, service providers and acquirers - helping them to build internal expertise and security and to improve on the cost and quality of their PCI assessment experience."
PCI Awareness training is an entry-level course that outlines challenges surrounding payment card security, explains how PCI Standards can help mitigate risk and provides the tools to build a secure payments environment.
PCI Professional (PCIP) training delivers in-depth coverage of the PCI DSS and PA-DSS – version 3.0, how to use compensating controls and more. This course provides an individual, renewable qualification and a solid foundation for future career progression to other PCI qualifications.
The Council's popular Internal Security Assessor (ISA) course can help organizations build expert payment security staff and:
Improve understanding of PCI DSS and how it can help protect customer data and a business
Help an organization build internal expertise and assess their compliance with PCI standards
Facilitate interaction with a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) for an organization
Enhance payment card data security and manage compliance costs
The Council has received strong feedback from attendees on the benefits of attending these classes in person, with great value placed on peer and case study discussion. Attendees cite the ability to interface with expert instructors and get questions answered in a supportive learning environment as major drivers for choosing instructor-led training.
"Education is a critical driver of payment security, and the Council is committed to expanding PCI training opportunities globally," said Stephen W. Orfei, general manager, PCI Security Standards Council. "We're pleased to announce our first international training partnership and excited to partner with LiquidNexxus, an organization with deep experience with PCI Standards."
The first PGTN training classes including PCI Awareness, PCIP and PCI ISA will be held from the 1st to the 4th of December in Johannesburg, South Africa. Additional sessions are planned throughout 2015 across the CEMEA region.