#image_2 After nearly ten years, merchant-level payment compliance is still a relatively new concept in the U.S. Merchant acquirers needed time to ramp up compliance mitigation practices after the new PCI regulations were implemented in 2006, and despite steady progress, guiding merchants into taking internal data security more seriously turned into a day-to-day grind with no apparent end in sight. It’s already been a long road, with several unfortunate breaches that have heightened public awareness, and new wave of compliance now in tow.

At the onset, some acquirers embraced PCI compliance head on, requiring annual self-assessment questionnaires (SAQs) or the prospect of a steep fine. Others took a wait-and-see position until they were forced to engage, and those with higher stakes in integrated technologies and compliance-based partnerships, took a proactive educational angle to protect the future of their portfolios. Eventually, compliance strength would become a market differentiator and a mainstream service offering in the industry.

Today, virtually all U.S. merchant service organizations offer some level of merchant compliance education and portfolio management to reduce risk and liability. Of course, these programs - whether initiated in-house or outsourced - require investment. However, it’s an investment that can be measured, and companies are now seeing healthy returns.

“Data Security continues to be one of the most important issues facing the payment card industry. The PCI DSS is now a well-established unified security standard and the payment card brands are actively encouraging compliance within Merchants and Service Providers. Furthermore the industry needs to look beyond PCI DSS Compliance to Cyber security solutions to protect not only payment card information but sensitive customer and business data key to a business operation,â€ said Paul Prior, SVP Client Engagement, Sysnet Global Solutions.

#h2 It's time to re-assess your program

According to Paul, now is the time for ISO organizations to look again and re-evaluate compliance programs, because the manpower required now to produce portfolio-wide compliance can be significant for a company, “Efficiently managing the compliance of an entire merchant portfolio requires an economy of scale if you want to achieve an effective return on investment,â€ added Paul. “There comes a time when outsourcing to an organization with the proven capabilities of delivering large-scale PCI DSS compliance programs just makes sense, you get all the manpower and focus required plus the added advantage of being able to compliment PCI DSS compliance with a portfolio of Cybersecurity solutionsâ€

With the deadline for the U.S. EMV liability shift bearing down on merchants, ISOs are under even more scrutiny to show due diligence. Without a concentrated EMV compliance education effort, an acquirer’s credibility could be at risk, opening the door for savvy competitors. The liability shift knowledge transfer will be critical to existing merchant/acquirer relationships.

Sysnet had this relationship in mind when they established their white label compliance model. The offering helps an ISO sustain credibility with customers and produce higher compliance results. 

“We believe most acquirers aren’t interested in handling merchant compliance in-house, but many are reluctant to outsource and introduce another brand to merchants,â€ Sysnet’s  SVP of Sales – Americas, Ted Lasch, said. “Sysnet gives clients a customized compliance portal and uses a white labeled call center model to address merchant compliance, so it appears the program is being handled under the ISO’s own roof.â€

The Sysnet model has been proven worldwide to produce higher portfolio compliance results than other third party competitors. The dedicated call center and web portal, both branded with the acquirer’s identity, are augmented with a comprehensive communications and education program that systematically ensures each merchant receives the alerts, announcements and guidance they need to achieve and sustain frontline compliance. Every message is presented as a seamless extension of the client’s brand to ensure merchants feel comfortable and less confused. Thereby, achieving a higher degree of credibility for the acquirer, and promoting a more effective call-to-action.

Sysnet has solutions for all sizes of payment acquirers, and can tailor their solutions to the needs of any organization, as desired. They also offer an “express versionâ€ of the primary offering to sales organizations which may have smaller portfolios or fewer compliance needs.

For more information about Sysnet’s white labeled solutions and how you can leverage them to get ahead of the compliance curve, go to <a href="http://sysnetgs.com">sysnetgs.com</a> or contact the company directly via email at sales@sysnetgs.com, or by telephone at USA: + 1 770 804 6429 / Europe: + 353 (0)1 495 1300.