(Roswell, GA – March 20, 2015) 2014 has been termed “A Year of Mega Breaches” due to highly publicized system hacking scandals at Target, The Home Depot and Sony. 2014 is also the year that the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council issued its much anticipated update to their Data Security Standards (DSS) which address the storage and transmission of credit card information. Officially in effect on January 1, 2015, PCI DSS Version 3.0 contains significant changes from Version 2.0 which dates back to October of 2010. This is significant because businesses that follow Version 2.0’s standards can no longer be considered compliant. In addition, all PCI Compliance 2.0 educational programs and informational materials require an overhaul so that they align to Version 3.0.

In anticipation of the questions and concerns that would naturally surround a substantial change to the vast majority of financial transactions worldwide, the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council documented a change summary. That expansive report categorized each individual change into one of three types: Clarification, Additional Guidance, and Evolving Requirement. The intent was to map out the myriad of changes that have occurred in the Payment Card Industry, from transactional technological innovations to contemporary techniques that hackers use today. Unfortunately, the report may result in even greater confusion.

One particular requirement remained unchanged from Version 2.0 to Version 3.0. That is the requirement to educate staff members on the PCI data security standards. Fortunately for organizations around the world that currently subscribe to the VENZA PEAK® Compliance and Performance Series, their employees, managers and IT professionals are able to access PCI Compliance learning programs that are up-to-date with Version 3.0. VENZA and their content providing partner, the law firm of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, are the creators of the VENZA PEAK® Compliance and Performance Series. PCI Compliance for Hoteliers, designed with hospitality industry professionals in mind, is their flagship program and has undergone a thorough upgrade to be aligned to PCI Version 3.0.

Also, to expand an awareness of data security to all hotel staff, VENZA® recently added additional languages such as Spanish and Creole to their arsenal of PCI Compliance training program. “By giving access to modules in additional languages, we have broadened our potential to change behaviors toward data security,” said VENZA’s Customer Success Manager, Sophia Gore.

“As I’ve mentioned before, our customers have enough stress running hotels and servicing their guests.  Now, just as before, hoteliers can shift toward my team the burden of educating their teams on what it means to be PCI Version 3.0 compliant.” says Jeff Venza, President/CEO. And making updates to all VENZA PEAK® programs is an on-going process for VENZA®. For example, plans are in place to align the programs to PCI Compliance 3.1 standards, rumored to be released in October 2015.

About AGG
Arnall Golden Gregory, with more than 150 attorneys in Atlanta and Washington, DC, employs a “business sensibility” approach, developing a deep understanding of each client’s situation in order to find a customized, cost-sensitive solution.  A past honoree on The National Law Journal’s prestigious Midsize Hot List, the firm advises on corporate, litigation and regulatory matters for numerous industries, including business services, healthcare, life sciences, logistics and transportation, real estate, franchising, information services, energy, and manufacturing.  AGG is a solutions partner that subscribes to the belief “not if, but how.”

About VENZA

VENZA is passionate about the development of technology and services that enable hotels to feel more secure concerning guest data breaches and human vulnerability. With decades of experience, VENZA has the knowledge and experience to empower hotels and their employees to tackle the dynamic cybercrime and guest security landscape.

Over 10,000 properties in over 100 countries look to the VENZA for tools, technology, and strategic security support. Founded in 2008, VENZA is a privately held company and headquartered in Roswell, GA. For more information, please call 770.685.6500 or visit www.VenzaGroup.com.