Verizon Business to Help Equens Italia Comply with Payment Card Industry Standards

MILAN - Equens Italia, a leading payment card processor for financial companies, has selected Verizon Business to help obtain Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) certification. Verizon Business' professional security services team will provide a range of consultancy, audit, management and implementation services.

Equens Italia's payment and card processing services - including card issuing and ATM and point of sale management - are used by hundreds of financial institutions in Italy. Equens Italia was established in 2008 as a joint initiative between Equens, one of Europe's largest payment processors, and the Istituto Centrale delle Banche Popolari Italiane (ICBPI), which provides technology, financial and business services to Italian financial institutions.

"Compliance with PCI-DSS is a business-critical objective for us," said Ivan Dalto, general manager of Equens Italia.  "Given the huge amount of confidential data handled by our systems every day, PCI-DSS compliance means that our customers can be assured of the security of our services - and therefore the security of their own transactions. As our customers are some of the top financial organizations in Italy - our suppliers really need to demonstrate a good understanding of the specific security requirements of the financial markets. The Verizon Business team has strong expertise and experience in the security and financial markets, and is able to bring these skills to bear to benefit our business." 

Ciske van Oosten, practice lead for PCI security services, Verizon Business EMEA, said: "Companies that handle large amounts of confidential customer data need security and compliance to be a top priority.  Any issues could impact not only the reputation of these companies, but also that of their customers.  Verizon Business has the skills, knowledge and experience to help companies like Equens Italia navigate the complex compliance procedures as quickly and simply as possible. And with compliance taken care of, the company can focus on delivering its services to its customers."

About Equens Italia
Equens Italia offers a complete range of solutions for electronic payment circuit management and is a leader in the complete management of authorization processes and back-end processes for ATM and POS. We also take care of a complete range of infrastructure, application and operational services for the card industry which enables banks to issue national debit cards and international debit and credit cards. Find out more information about Equens Italia at www.equensitalia.com.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with the world's most connected IP network to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment.  Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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