Friday, February 19, 2016
Over the years, the SCA has provided educational resources and programs designed to inform industry stakeholders of the latest developments in secure smart card technology. The not-for-profit, multi-industry association created the Certified Smart Card Industry Professional (CSCIP) credential, which is the smart card industry's principal certification program.
"Education is fundamental to improving the way the industry manages security," said Randy Vanderhoof, SCA Executive Director. "With this donation from Heartland Payment Systems, the Smart Card Alliance is able to greatly expand education and collaboration programs aimed at improving security across multiple markets and subject areas, including payment security, identity security and privacy protection, through face-to-face and online events and assets."
Heartland and the SCA, both headquartered in Princeton, N.J., are committed to promoting and implementing best-in-class data security standards. A long-time SCA sponsor, Heartland is also a founding member of the Payments Processing Information Sharing Council, which operates under the umbrella of the Financial Service Information Sharing and Analysis Center. Heartland's stunning recovery from a 2009 data security breach is evidenced in its multilayered security infrastructure and role in numerous security initiatives.
"Protecting customers is our number one priority, so it is duty that we help educate them to better protect consumers' privacy and advance the security of payments and identity through education programs on best industry practices and advances in security technologies," said Robert O. Carr, Heartland Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Carr cited Heartland Secure and Heartland Secure Out-of-Scope as examples of the company's innovative approach to data security. Heartland Secure combines Europay, MasterCard Visa (EMV), end-to-end encryption and tokenization technologies to protect card-present transactions. Its out-of-scope solution enables payment authorizations to entirely bypass the POS. A data breach warranty further protects Heartland merchants, guaranteeing reimbursement of compliance fines, fees and assessments if encryption should fail in any Heartland Secure device.
The center plans to make its educational programs widely available to government and private sectors, as well as members and non-members of the SCA, the companies stated. In addition to its onsite venues, the center plans to live stream, record and archive content as part of an online resource library hosted by the SCA. Following is a sampling of the center's training and certification exam programs:
CSCIP: a program that recognizes professionals who undergo training to gain advanced levels of technical knowledge and understanding of usage models for the smart card industry and is the smart card industry's only standardized certification program.
CSCIP/Payments: an extension of CSCIP training that recognizes professionals who undergo training to gain advanced knowledge of payments usage models for the smart card industry.
CSCIP/Government: an extension of CSCIP training that recognizes professionals who undergo training to gain advanced knowledge of government-related identity and security usage models for the smart card industry.
CSEIP: a program that provides advanced training for integration engineers on how to set up and test E-PACS (electronic Physical Access Control Systems) to align with mandated certifications required under the federal government's physical access control system procurement specifications.
ICAM PACS: a program for Identity Credentialing and Access Management Physical Control Systems (ICAM PACS) training and certification.
"It was a proud day on February 3rd as we officially celebrated the opening of the National Center for Advanced Payments and Identity Security," said Deborah Baxley, International Mobile/Cards Payment Consultant and active member in the SCA Payments and Mobile Councils. "Thanks to a generous grant from Heartland Payments, the Smart Card Alliance has been able to establish a physical presence in Washington D.C. This will be the centerpiece of exciting new innovations such as the Security of Things Conference, and the newly established IoT Council."
The National Center for Advanced Payments and Identity Security facility is located at 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia. Additional information about upcoming events, course offerings, training and certification programs and exam schedules can be found at www.smartcardalliance.org/ .
Editor's Note:
The Green Sheet Inc. is now a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals. Click here for more information.
Notice to readers: These are archived articles. Contact names or information may be out of date. We regret any inconvenience.
