Coalfire forecasts slowdown in Card Data Security & Compliance

  • Team Omega
  • February 9, 2015

Webinar will address PCI 3.0 compliance requirements that are creating assessment hurdles for merchants

Denver – (Feb. 9, 2015) – Despite a wave of credit card breaches last year that crippled everything from the restaurant to the retail industry, Coalfire, a leading global provider of cyber risk management and compliance solutions, announced it anticipates a slowdown in the number of merchants that meet credit card security requirements. Omega, a Managed Security Services  Provider (MSSP)of retail data security solutions, will be hosting a webinar along Coalfire to discuss steps all merchants need to take to meet the new compliance mandates, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2015.

The complimentary webinar, Top PCI 3.0 Challenges for Chain Merchants, will be held March 11 at 3 p.m. EST and will cover issues specifically related to large convenience stores, quick service restaurants, gas stations and specialty retailers. Register here.

“Without changing their business as usual approach to card data security, merchants will not be able to meet the new PCI 3.0 mandates, even if they’ve met compliance in the past,” said Coalfire CEO Rick Dakin. “Our hope with this webinar is to educate merchants about what significant changes have occurred with PCI 3.0 and how they can make adjustments now to meet the standards.”

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards 3.0 (PCI-DSS 3.0) specifies several new compliance requirements, increased needs for network security, and information security measures that must be taken to ensure payments are secure. These standards are mandatory for all companies that accept, transmit or store credit card data.

Omega ATC is one of the first certified Service Providers (Managed Security Services Provider) to meet PCI 3.0 compliance. The managed security services provided from Omega’s data center ensures high-availability and high-security. “There is a critical need for increased security given the onslaught and increased severity of data breaches,” said Shekar Swamy, President & Senior Security Strategist for Omega ATC. “In today’s climate, Omega ATC makes it a priority to invest into our infrastructure and new features to make sure we are staying ahead of the market and can maintain our leadership in data security solutions that accelerate retailer’s compliance with PCI DSS.”

Dakin said many merchants are approaching PCI compliance as they have in the past and not realizing the number of changes in the new mandate, which in turn, slows down their compliance certification process. The new standard contains 12 requirements and 400+ detailed sub-requirements to meet compliance.

More detailed validation requirements and changes in scoping requirements will be presented in the webinar. During the webinar, Coalfire and Omega will discuss changes in schedules, new self-assessment requirements, software, penetration testing, and scanning requirements that are now needed to meet PCI compliance. Please visit

About Coalfire

Coalfire is the global technology leader in cyber risk management and compliance services for enterprises and government organizations. Coalfire’s professionals are renowned for their technical expertise and unbiased assessments and recommendations. Coalfire’s approach builds on our successful, long-term relationships with our clients to achieve multiple compliance objectives tied to a long-term strategy to prevent security breaches and data theft. Founded in 2001, Coalfire is a privately held company with 12 offices worldwide, and is headquartered in Denver. For more information, visit www.coalfire.com.

About Omega ATC

Omega’s Managed Data Security Service OmegaSecureTM, is certified as PCI DSS 3.0 compliant. Omega’s services and solutions are used every day by restaurant chains, convenience stores, petroleum marketers, and specialty retailers. Omega maintains strong partnerships with POS system vendors, major oil companies, acquiring banks, card processing companies, consulting firms, and industry groups. Omega is a Participating Organization in the PCI Council; a member of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), Conexxus, Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers America (SIGMA) and the National Retail Federation (NRF). To learn more, please visit www.omegasecure.com or call 636-557-7777.

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Contact for Coalfire: Stephanie Vanderholm, 303.883.8832, svanderholm@metzgeralbee.com

Contact for Omega: Alex Persons, 636-557-7777 x2404, alex.persons@www.omegasecure.com