Posts Tagged ‘vmware hosting’

How Trustworthy Are E-Commerce Payments?

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Today, businesses depend on electronic transactions and payment processing as their method of receiving payments for their products and services. This is especially true for e-commerce. One of the main concerns online consumers have when making a purchase is the security in which their payment information is processed. Fortunately, technology has improved to ensure a trustworthy e-commerce payment when purchasing goods and services online.

Legitimate e-commerce sites have acquired the latest online security transaction processes and upgrade as new technology becomes available. Online shopping is now much more safe and secure. Advancements in technology have made the online processing secure and convenient. The payment security process includes:

1. Secure Sockets Layer protocol is used which encrypts financial information such as credit card numbers as well as personal information.

2. The data is then sent securely over a SSL connection. The transaction takes place over a secure encrypted connection such as https://. A distinct session key is created and the private and protected communication connection permits encryption of the data. The data becomes scrambled.

2. An SSL Certificate permits the encryption and contains unique and confirmed information about the certificate owner. Unauthorized users do not have the ability to decrypt the data. If an unauthorized user is able to capture the data, he or she will not be able to decrypt the transaction.

3. A payment gateway is an e-commerce service that authorizes payments for e-businesses. It uses SSL 128-bit encoding technology to encrypt and decrypt all the data being sent through it.

When online users look for a trustworthy site to shop, they should look for a trustmark or seal. This tells the user that the webpage has been certified by a third-party that the site uses strict security measures to process transactions. It also verifies that the site has a privacy policy and it is a secure site. A business’ trustmark should be easy to see when users browse the site. The trustmark tells people that the site is lawful and their personal information is safe and secure.

All businesses, including e-commerce sites are mandated to be PCI compliant. This means that the business must follow strict security regulations on how to process credit and debit cards, install web application firewalls, and have the latest software to stop viruses, Trojans, worms, and hackers. Once a business becomes PCI compliant they are verified as meeting a strict code of security protection.

In spite of the downturn in the economy, the practice of online shopping is thriving. Online shoppers want to know that the information they provide to a merchant is going to be kept safe and secure. E-commerce understands that earning the trust of online shoppers is essential to increasing and maintaining sales. Because of the concerns about safety when shopping online, e-commerce has implemented a number of security protocols to ensure the safety of their customer’s personal and financial data. For instance, integrating web security development services into e-commerce operations is essential to establishing a loyal customer base. When a customer is satisfied with the security and reliability of an e-commerce site, both the business and customer will profit.

State of the art data center in Toronto provides managed services, PCI DSS compliant hosting as well as VMWare, managed hosting and IT solutions for companies in order to manage applications that demand the highest levels of security and availability.

Is VMware Hosting a Reliable Solution?

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

With so many threats to computer databases, it has become essential to establish protocols to protect data on business computers. One such method is using VMware Hosting. VMware Hosting is the use of software made by VMware, Inc. that partitions servers into virtual servers with each server having their own individual copy of the operating system.

VMware accomplishes virtualization by using a computer’s hardware resources to serve multiple virtual servers, with each running an independent operating system. VMware hosting differs from regular hosting packages where you require resources such as hardware. The benefits of VMware hosting have made it a critical and reliable component of business data management and security.

The benefits of VMware hosting as a reliable security solution include:

1. Businesses want to have peace of mind knowing that if there is a catastrophic event, their data will be protected. VMware hosting is the solution to ensuring reliable data protection. These high-tech data centers have amazing back-up facilities that are far greater than anything any office would have. VMware hosting companies provide a high tech data center with remarkable back up facilities thereby effectively securing data during any type of situation such as power outages. One can quickly and efficiently back up the data on different virtual servers across different locations. As well, it allows one to access the data 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year.

The best VMware hosting services have reliable backup systems and will automatically perform recovery operations in the event of a threat. One may not even know there was an incident until they receive the report from the VMware host detailing what occurred. The data center facilities include fire prevention and suppression, controls for temperature and humidity, and advanced network and physical security systems to protect the computer and their data operations. Business owners and managers will be able to relax knowing that their data is protected at all times.

VMware Consolidated Backup systems perform such functions as integrating with existing backup tools and technologies, performing complete or partial file backups of virtual machines, perform full image backup of virtual machines, and manage backups in a central location. VMware providers offer 24 hour monitoring of hardware, operating systems, firewalls, internet connections, and power circuits. It ensures that your information is safe from malicious programs and hackers.

Because the server is virtualized, data is more protected because it is generated across different networks. Each VPS is configured using VMware making it as good as a physical server. There is more data safety because you are generating data across a virtualized network that can be monitored or controlled from one location. The need for an operating system and physical server is basically eliminated. As well, because VMware supports live migration, the entire virtual server can be moved with no downtime.

VMware Hosting is efficient and valuable hosting that will keep your data safe through managed security, disaster recovery solutions, and managed IT services. It is a proven method of data security.

As credit card fraud is increasing, businesses are adapting PCI compliance. In addition, VMware ensures absolute protection for important data. A high degree of security is being offered to other managed services, so customers may be able to obtain a peace-of-mind.

PCI DSS for Beginners

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
by Amy Nutt

The expression, PCI Compliance, means the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This is a global directed program designed to protect the consumer from identity and financial information theft. If businesses are not a part of the program or do not comply with this standard, they could receive considerable fines or be banned from using payment card acceptance programs.

PCI DSS originated as five different security programs that consisted of Visa Card Information Security Program, MasterCard Site Data Protection, American Express Data Security Operating Policy, Discover Information and Compliance, and the JCB Data Security Program. The purpose was to build an additional layer of security by certifying the businesses that meet minimum levels of security when they process payment cards. In December of 2004, these companies merged their policies and created the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

The PCI DSS rules compel businesses that process debit and credit cards to carry out application reviews and install web application firewalls for the purpose of enhancing security. Once the business installs the security programs on their system they are accountable for ensuring that all the computer systems are protected and that they remain PCI compliant. As well, businesses must institute security policies such as not sharing passwords, not writing credit card numbers on paper, and safely disposing of transaction slips. These policies must be implemented before achieving PCI compliancy. PCI is frequently upgrading its systems’ software and monitoring systems to deal with innovative hackers.

PCI compliancy impacts everyone who buys products with payment cards, or accepts payments with these cards. As of September 30, 2007, all businesses managing cardholder data have to be fully compliant with stringent security standards. PCI DSS provides two specific security rules to thwart breaches coming in from wireless networks. They monitor firewall segmentation between wireless networks and any network that may come in contact with financial information. The PCI DDS also carry out checks on the use of wireless analyzers to detect if there have been any unauthorized wireless devices used.

Completing the PCI compliance process can take one day or up to two weeks. It all depends on the threats found after a PCI scan and how long it takes to complete a self assessment questionnaire. The Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a document that businesses are required to complete every year and submit to their acquiring bank. It consists of a set of twelve security requirements sub-divided into 6 broader sections. Each section targets a specific area of security from the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The questions range from having current virus protection and firewall installed to restricting access to the client information. The process of PCI compliance is not recommended to try to complete on your own. It is highly recommended that a business acquires the services of a Quality Security Assessor and/or an experienced IT person. The mandated requirements for PCI compliance varies from the size of a company, their level of technology, and the threats that develop.

Identity theft and fraud can be traumatic for victims, not only financially, but also emotionally. PCI, when implemented and enforced properly will help to reduce the risks.

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Why Businesses need to be PCI Compliant

Friday, September 18th, 2009

We all want to know that our financial information is protected when shopping at online and traditional businesses. Unfortunately, many people have learned the hard way about fraud after they have lost thousands of dollars. Although businesses have taken a number of measures to improve their security, there are still many online shady individuals engaging in credit and debit card fraud. Online criminals are constantly seeking new ways of gaining access to people’s financial and personal information. The financial cost of fraud is massive. Any business that accepts credit and debit card payment information should comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). Businesses need to assure their customers that they are protected by complying with the PCI DSS.

Consumer confidence in how personal information is managed is one of the most critical elements required for a businesses success. Creating and fostering a good business reputation can take years, but destroying it can be instant. A multi-million dollar business can be irrevocably harmed by the loss of their reputation. With the creation of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), the assistance that has been much needed has now been developed to secure the use of credit and debit cards. Businesses that process and store customer credit and debit card data are now required legally to be PCI compliant and to conduct business practices under a strict set of rules. PCI compliancy has boosted confidence in spending by implementing twelve strict regulations which protects their customers’ personal and financial information from such threats as hackers, viruses, worms, Trojans and more.

PCI compliance covers a number of areas such as that installing a firewall, including encryption during transmission of card data, implementing regular updates of anti-virus software, and implementing computer maintenance and protocols such as monitoring and testing the networks in order to reduce security breaches.

PCI compliance has provided consumers and businesses with the security and assurance to trust in carrying out business transactions safely and securely online and in person. PCI DSS drastically reduces the risk of identity theft and fraud, thereby reducing customer loss and profit loss.

Increased knowledge of the PCI system and the implemented safeguards and regulations, tells customers that the risk of having their information stolen is significantly reduced. As well, the sizeable fines for non-compliance are a huge deterrent for one who fails to maintain compliancy. Smart Shoppers look for a secure site that is a PCI compliant company. Most people will not do business with an unprotected company.

Because business today depends on electronic transactions and payment processing for the majority of their payments, PCI compliance needs to be the highest priority. A business that fails to register for payment card identity compliancy will fall behind in an extremely competitive business world.

With the expansion and constant development of the internet, consumers are now demanding high quality goods and services with a minimum risk of fraud. Being PCI compliant allows a customer to feel confidant and secure about the purchases they make. Knowledgeable and cautious shoppers look for security when shopping so it makes sense that a business becomes PCI compliant. The result will be repeat customers and an increase in conversions which will lead to an increase in profits.

As credit card fraud is increasing, businesses are becoming PCI compliant. In addition, SAS 70 Type II is practicing audits on a regular basis, combined with Data Centres Canada, a high degree of security is being offered to customers so they may be able to obtain a peace-of-mind to customers.