It’s an exciting time to be taking the helm of SPVA. New members, our first membership meeting, and increasing interest in our role and place in the payments security realm all contribute to making my first month here an exciting one. With the introduction of Point of View, we will share industry expertise and encourage dialogue among our members and others involved in this dynamic industry.

Over the coming months, we’ll share insights from our board leadership and from those in the trenches – our Technical Working Groups – as they progress toward achieving SPVA’s goal of establishing best practices and ensuring consistency of payment security standards.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of reaching out to many companies and organizations to talk about the value of SPVA. Throughout these conversations, it has become clear that there are several topics that receive the most interest. I’d like to address the top three here:

1) Who, within SPVA, establishes the best practices around implementation and security standards developed by PCI?

The SPVA has a Security Standards Technical Working Group (TWG) focused on interpretation of and POS vendor alignment with PCI standards. Chaired by Eric Brier, chief security officer, Ingenico, this TWG is made up of members from POS vendors, acquirers, security technology companies and other service providers.

2) How many people from our company can participate in SPVA activities?

Members are allowed to have one individual designated as the primary company contact on each of the four Technical Working Groups, meaning that up to four designees could be named, to include different skills sets and expertise from your company. Other employees of the member company may also participate in SPVA, but should communicate through the primary contact representing their company.

3) What benefits do non North American-based companies gain from being a member?

All SPVA members are able to help shape the activities of the association through their direct participation in Technical Working Groups, meetings and more. This participation has the added benefit of exposing members to the thoughts and ideas of industry security professionals who are already participating with SPVA, and allow them to have a say in best practice standards that affect the global marketplace.

If you are headed to Paris for CARTES, please join us there. Schedule a Prospective Member Meeting on November 17-19, or, if you are already a member, enjoy our first Membership Meeting & Luncheon on November 19. It would be my pleasure to meet with you and discuss how you can benefit from membership in SPVA.