Discover Network rolls out merchant levels to streamline PCI compliance validation and reporting
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2009--Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS), a leading credit card issuer
and electronic payment services company, today announced it is rolling
out an enhancement to its Discover Information Security and Compliance
(DISC) program that will streamline the validation and reporting
process, making it easier for merchants that process transactions on the
Discover Network to communicate their compliance with the PCI Data
Security Standard (DSS).
DISC is Discover Network's compliance management program and was
designed to support the requirements outlined in the PCI DSS. The PCI
DSS is an industry security requirement for safeguarding payment
cardholder data. It was developed to facilitate the broad adoption of
consistent data security measures on a global basis to assist in the
prevention of cardholder data compromises in the card payments industry.
PCI DSS compliance is required of any organization that stores,
processes or transmits payment cardholder data.
Discover's merchant level framework enhancement helps bring network
merchant categorization into closer alignment and each merchant level
will have its own associated validation and reporting requirements. The
merchant level framework is comprised of four levels:
- Level 1 - all merchants processing more than 6 million Discover Network
transactions per year; any merchant that Discover Network determines
should meet level 1 compliance and reporting requirements; all merchants
required by another payments network to validate and report as a level 1
merchant
- Level 2 - all merchants processing 1 million to 6 million Discover
Network transactions per year; all merchants required by another
payments network to report compliance as a level 2 merchant
- Level 3 - all merchants processing 20,000 to 1 million Discover Network
card-not-present only transactions per year; all merchants required by
another payments network to report as a level 3 merchant
- Level 4 - all other merchants.
"Data security is a top priority for Discover," said Suzanne Smits, vice
president, Discover Financial Services. "Our move to roll out merchant
levels is in direct response to feedback from our merchants and
acquirers. This enhancement to our DISC program, in addition to
leveraging the validation and reporting tools published by the PCI
Security Standards Council, will give our merchants and acquirers a more
streamlined and consistent process for validating and reporting
compliance."
"This is a positive move by Discover," said Ed Labry, president of First
Data's USA division. "Streamlining the validation and reporting
processes with others in the industry provides a tremendous benefit for
us as an acquirer and our merchants. Not only will this provide a more
consistent data security framework, but it better drives adoption and
compliance of the standard, which is the ultimate goal of our industry."
For more information on Discover's DISC program and merchant levels
visit: http://discovernetwork.com/fraudsecurity/disc.html
Discover Network, a business unit of Discover Financial Services, is a
comprehensive and secure payments network that connects to millions of
merchants throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the
Caribbean. Discover Network markets and supports a full range of credit,
debit, and prepaid cards, including the Discover Card. Discover Network
also provides customer-centric tools and programs designed to help
issuers, acquirers, and merchants drive loyalty, increase transaction
volume, and run their business more effectively, with streamlined
efficiencies. Leveraging its legacy of industry leading fraud
prevention, customer service, and innovative partner marketing
practices, as well as its hands-on merchant, issuing, and acquiring
knowledge, Discover Network sets itself apart by delivering meaningful
and differentiated solutions.
About Discover Financial Services
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a leading credit card issuer
and electronic payment services company with one of the most recognized
brands in U.S. financial services. The company operates the Discover
Card, America's cash rewards pioneer. Since its inception in 1986, the
company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States.
Its payments business consists of the Discover Network, with millions of
merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading
ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments
network with acceptance in 185 countries and territories. For more
information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.
CONTACT: Discover Financial Services
Leslie Beyer, 224-405-5154
lesliebeyer@discover.com
or
Matt Towson, 224-405-5649
matthewtowson@discover.com
Source: Discover Financial Services