Merchant Newsletter - October 28, 2006

October is Fire Prevention Month
Don't let this happen to YOUR office or home!


This week's article is on what you need to do to prevent being the SOURCE of a fraud event!  Companies that manage credit card information need to comply with new data-protection requirements being pushed by MasterCard International Inc. and Visa U.S.A. Inc. amid growing concerns about identity theft and fraud.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI, lists 12 items that retailers, online merchants, data processors and other businesses that handle credit card data will have to start meeting by June 1. The standard sets technology requirements such as the use of data encryption, end-user access control, and activity monitoring and logging. It also includes procedural mandates such as the need to implement formal security policies and vulnerability management programs.

The Digital Dozen
VISA AND MASTERCARD'S NEW DATA-PROTECTION RULES

BUILD AND MAINTAIN A SECURE NETWORK
Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect data.
Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters.

PROTECT CARDHOLDER DATA
Safeguard stored data.
Encrypt transmission of cardholder data and sensitive information across public networks.

MAINTAIN A VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Use and regularly update antivirus software.
Develop and maintain secure systems and applications.

IMPLEMENT STRONG ACCESS-CONTROL MEASURES
Restrict access to data by business need to know.
Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access.
Restrict physical access to data about cardholders.

REGULARLY MONITOR AND TEST NETWORK SECURITY
Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data.
Regularly test security systems and processes.

INFORM EMPLOYEES ABOUT SECURITY POLICIES
Maintain a policy that addresses information security.

If all your credit card information is in Transaction Central, rest assured, you are compliant.  If you have an e-commerce store, make sure you have it set to NOT store credit card numbers!  Our recommendation for best way to be immune to these regulations is to NEVER store credit card numbers on your computer systems!



Your business can be featured in our weekly newsletter!   All you need to do is to send a description of how you use our service (Mobile, Retail, or Internet), in 25 to 100 words- along with a description of your product or services (again in 25 to 100 words) to: Dennis@MerchantAnywhere.com with "FREE AD SPACE" as the subject line. Our basic mission is to help other businesses succeed, using our technologies.  We are constantly getting rave reviews and comments from our merchants, as well as a constant stream of referrals.  This is one way we can say:  THANKS!



Most newsletters would focus on Halloween, and we will later on, but far more important:  October is Fire Prevention month, and this is something to take seriously.

Having had (and extinguished) a relatively large fire myself, I can tell you that the most valuable item in your office may someday be the fire extinguisher.  In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or office. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames.

Fire Department response times can range from a few minutes to as long as 15 minutes.  We had a house fire begin in the bathroom (electrical in nature), and in seconds, sheets of flame were covering three walls and the ceiling.  Even though the Fire truck was ALREADY IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE (for a 4th of July street Parade), by the time they suited up and entered the building, over 4 MINUTES had elapsed!  In that time, had we not extinguished the flames ourselves, most of the house would have been in flames.

Fires can DOUBLE in size in as little as 2 or 3 minutes, depending on the construction of the building.  A small trash can fire which could have been put out in seconds can consume your business or home in short order. The speed at which a fire expands is a truly astounding thing, you really will never believe it unless you have seen it.

When you purchase an extinguisher, get one rated for "ABC" which can handle standard, liquid, and electrical fires.  GET MORE THAN ONE, and get as many as you can afford, and get the larger size.  Those 4 inch diameter "skinny" units do not have the ability to put out a larger flame if you discover it after it has expanded. Get the larger units with the 6-inch diameter.  When you need it, pull the pin, aim at the base of the flames, and use a sweeping motion to "Push" the flames back until they are out.

Sprinkler systems are great, but by the time they activate, the fire is REALLY going, and if the fire does not consume everything you own, the water and smoke will.  Sprinklers are intended to protect the STRUCTURE, not the contents.  A timely blast in that burning trash can, stove, or computer can prevent the loss of your home or office.  

If you are one of those people who light candles in your home for the holidays, this column should REALLY be taken to heart, During 2002, an estimated 18,000 home fires started by candles were reported to public fire departments.


Now, on the lighter side, and for Halloween, here are some uniquely creative ideas for carving your pumpkins:  Happy Halloween!

ORDER FREE MERCHANT MATERIALS HERE!!!

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