Echopass First Cloud-Based Contact Center to Announce Customers Protected Via Newest PCI DSS Guidelines

SOURCE: Echopass Corporation

PLEASANTON, Calif. — September 9, 2013 — Echopass Corporation today became the first cloud-based contact center provider to announce it has achieved the newest version of PCI DSS certification for cloud providers. In February, the PCI Security Standards Council augmented its security requirements for cloud service providers due to factors such as increased market threats, the dramatic uptake in cloud services, and new channels like mobile and social posing untested risk. Users of Echopass’ contact center solutions provided with its Premier, Corporate and the new Enterprise Edition will be the first to enjoy the benefits of the certification at the most current level of security protocols — to safeguard their most sensitive data.

Within five short years, cloud-based contact centers are expected to become the standard for nearly half of all businesses — and they’re on the front lines in the security battle, as millions of agents handle confidential data daily. With so many companies moving to the cloud and the heightened risk of cybercrime, Echopass sought out the most cutting-edge, comprehensive ways to ensure the safety of its customers’ critical information.

“As a cloud-based service provider, we are fiercely focused on working with our clients to both improve and protect their business — and a big part of that commitment is protecting clients’ data,” said Dennis Empey, chief information security officer at Echopass. “We believe incidences of personal information theft and hacking will expand enormously in the future. Consider the recent, highly publicized incursion at T.J. Maxx, which cost millions of dollars in liability and spurred legal cases that threaten to greatly impact the company and its customers. There is nothing more important to us than our customers’ security, so taking these extra steps to provide the highest level of PCI compliance was vital.”

Recent PCI Changes for Cloud Security

In February 2013, the PCI Council, an organization founded by credit card issuing companies Visa, MasterCard, Discover, JCB International and American Express, issued a new supplement to the PCI DSS Version 2.0 compliance guidelines specifically for cloud computing. The move is in response to the dramatic growth in cloud-based support services that retail and commercial environments are beginning to adopt. The new rules provide more stringent guidance for proper security when utilizing cloud service providers.

PCI DSS Level 1 compliance for Service Providers is required for any organization processing over 300,000 card transactions a year; however, most cloud-based contact centers only complete the lesser “self-attestation” independently and without third-party inspection. The accomplishment and qualification as a Level 1 Service Provider requires the highest level of scrutiny available, performed by an independent third-party Qualified Security Assessor (QSA).

Echopass worked with FishNet Security, regarded as one of the world’s leading QSAs, to assist with the auditing and assessment process — all the while continuing to support its on-demand client base and need to sustain the highest levels of reliability.

“It was clear early in this assessment that Echopass takes PCI compliance seriously,” said Bernard Batang, vice president of professional services for FishNet Security. “Performing a level one audit can consume significant time and resources, so having executive sponsorship is essential. The fact that Echopass was able to perform these significant changes to their infrastructure and processes, and get through an RoC assessment in six months, demonstrates commitment to the PCI standard and the security of its customers’ data.”

Serving the Largest Enterprises

Today’s news will support Echopass’ most recent offering, Echopass Enterprise Edition, launched in August 2013 — a cost-effective bundle of 40+ contact center applications and services to support the demands of complex contact centers with 500 to 20,000 agents.

Because of their size, legacy technologies and existing infrastructure, large enterprises have been one of the slowest groups to adopt cloud solutions. However, as the cloud and its available services have matured, the world’s biggest companies are currently migrating to cloud-based solutions at a quickening pace.

With extensive experience working with some of the largest enterprises — and the unique challenges they bring — Echopass has created its Enterprise Edition to enhance the customer experience and improve business agility, while maintaining nearly 100 percent uptime for high-revenue generation environments.

For more information about Echopass, please visit www.echopass.com; follow the company blog at http://www.echopass.com/about/blog, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EchopassCorp and on Twitter at @EchopassCorp.

About FishNet Security

FishNet Security is the No. 1 provider of information security solutions that combine technology, services, support and training. Since 1996, the company has enabled clients to manage risk, meet compliance requirements and reduce costs while maximizing security effectiveness and operational efficiency. FishNet Security is committed to information security excellence and has a track record of delivering quality solutions to over 5,000 clients worldwide.

About Echopass Corporation

Echopass is the #1 provider of cloud-based contact center solutions to large enterprises. Since 2000, Echopass customized solutions have served enterprises with up to 20,000 agents across multiple sites and complex application and infrastructure environments, while satisfying the most stringent industry compliance and security requirements. Echopass solutions are fully integrated, flexible and scalable, and require no capital investment or ongoing maintenance. Privately-held Echopass, backed by venture capital firms Canaan Partners and New Enterprise Associates, is a recipient of numerous industry awards for innovation and customer service, including the Red Herring Top 100 Companies Award and multiple Best Practices awards from Frost & Sullivan. The company is headquartered in Pleasanton, CA. For additional information, please visit www.echopass.com or call 1-888-622-5345.