Windstream Achieves PCI DSS 2.0 Certification for Payment Processing, Storage

The PCI (News - Alert) DSS certification is an important milestone for any cloud or hosting data center working with customers that process payments. The standard indicates that strict information security controls and processes are in place for service providers that store, process or transmit customer payment card data.

Windstream (News - Alert) Hosted Solutions, a provider of managed cloud and hosting solutions, announced that its facilities have achieved PCI DSS version 2.0 certification. That means that Windstream has achieved full compliance with the standard as a Level 1 certified service provider.

The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards (DSS) are meant to prevent credit card fraud and include 12 requirements encompassing payment card transactions. These cover security management, policies and procedures, physical security, network architecture, user access management, network and systems monitoring and software development.

The certification assessment was performed by BrightLine CPAs & Associates, Inc., a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) firm. The company specializes in assurance and compliance services and has worked with more than 400 companies, including Fortune 1000 organizations. BrightLine certifies companies in every major service industry, including financial, technology services, business, insurance claims processing, regulates services like utilities and government/public sector, and of course credit card merchants and service providers.

"As businesses continue to store, process and transmit credit card information in data centers, we must work to minimize the risk of security breaches that impact customers while also putting businesses at risk of critical data loss and monetary liability," said Chris Nicolini, senior vice president of data center operations at Windstream.

Matt Preschern, senior vice president and enterprise chief marketing officer at Windstream, added that the certification is part of a greater strategy for the company. Windstream is actively expanding their capabilities, security and regional presence as well as working to double their cloud hosting business.

"We are making it simple for government, education and business customers to select Windstream by providing industry validation of our high-touch approach to ensuring security and confidentiality of strategic, personal, financial and security information," he said.

Windstream works with a number of customers that process customer credit card information. The company’s clients come from the financial services, healthcare and government sectors as well as e-commerce and retail.