The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) just announced the opening of the nomination period for the first ever Brazil Regional Engagement Board. Regional Engagement Boards serve as advisors to the PCI SSC on payment data security issues in specific geographies and markets. They represent PCI SSC Participating Organizations and industry stakeholders from regions where increased input and engagement is needed to foster broad adoption of PCI Security Standards and improve payment security. In this post, we talk PCI SSC International Director Jeremy King about this new initiative and the role he sees it playing in the PCI SSC’s mission of helping secure payment data around the world.
How do Regional Engagement Boards fit in with PCI SSC goals and priorities globally?
Jeremy King: I have often talked about the huge benefits that the PCI SSC gains from the global support of our community. Understanding what the key issues and challenges being faced in a particular country or region are is critical, especially a region where we are still growing and developing our levels of support and adoption. Having the opportunity through a Regional Engagement Board to have those discussions and receive that feedback will ensure that our standards and programs are what we have always said - truly global, appropriate and applicable.
Why did PCI SSC select Brazil as the first region for a Regional Engagement Board?
Jeremy King: Brazil is a significant country within Latin America, especially in terms of card-based payments, both face to face and e-commerce. It is one of the high priority countries for the PCI SSC globally and so it made sense to start with Brazil. Also having Carlos Caetano in country as the Regional Associate Director means that we have a permanent presence who is able to discuss the benefits of the Regional Board with appropriate organizations and raise interest in the Regional Engagement Board.
How do you see Regional Engagement Boards benefiting the payment industry?
Jeremy King: The Regional Engagement Board will bring together representatives from all aspects of the payment process, from merchants to processors, acquirers and issuers, as well as vendors and assessors. This broad cross-section will be able to discuss the challenges of securing payments while still providing frictionless payments. They will be able to review and comment on new standards being developed by the PCI SSC, as well as suggest new ideas where additional support and guidance would be beneficial. They will be able to provide input to not only to the PCI SSC, but also to our Executive Committee and our wider global Board of Advisors.
Why should organizations get involved in a Regional Engagement Board?
Jeremy King: Because securing cardholder data is critical, because we are under threat from global criminals, because payments are changing quicker than they have ever done. The Brazil Regional Engagement Board provides an avenue for PCI SSC to hear the voice of Brazil, and input from this board can make a difference that will benefit similar organizations not only in Brazil but globally.
Are there plans for Regional Engagement Boards in other regions?
Jeremy King: Yes, but this is a new concept for the PCI SSC. We will run this first REB in Brazil for 2018 and then review all aspects of the initiative to make sure everyone felt that it was providing value and the opportunities and direction that everyone was hoping for. I am sure there will be lessons we can learn and improvements we can make, but all being well I look forward to growing the Regional Engagement Board to many other parts of the world to ensure that the PCI Standards are and remain truly global.
The nomination period for the Brazil Engagement Board runs from 1 – 30 November 2017. Primary, business and technical contacts at eligible organizations can self-nominate or nominate another individual as a candidate for the PCI SSC Brazil Regional Engagement Board. For help with login credentials, please contact support@pcisecuritystandards.org.
