PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a security standard that applies to companies handling credit card numbers. The PCI level of enforcement differs based on the volume of transactions that a company handles. The lowest level is level 4, which applies to eCommerce sites processing less than 20,000 transactions annually. The highest and most stringent is PCI level 1, which applies to merchants processing over 6 million transactions a year. Ultimately, the goal is to increase security for all Web sites accepting payment via credit card. 2Checkout completes an annual audit for PCI compliance, which we take pride in maintaining consistently.

Level 4 merchants are typically subject to completing an annual self-assessment questionaire, which contains approximately 220 questions. Furthermore, annual external quarterly scans are a common requirement. The exact requirements are typically set by the merchants’ bank.

Smaller eCommerce sites that have credit cards compromised can be fined between $20 and $30 dollars per each stolen credit card up to $500,000 dollars. Additionally, depending on the size of the breach, the site could be required to hiring an external forensic investigator. The cost of an external audit typically begins around $10,000.

A report published recently by ECommerce-Guide.com identifies increased scrutiny that PCI Level 4 eCommerce sites are being subjected to.

The cost of becoming PCI compliant can be substantial. Especially if your Web site was not initially designed with security being a focus. The requirements cover all aspects of business: technology utilized and how it is implemented as well as business processes and workflow.

Utilizing 2Checkout can quickly enable PCI compliance for your eCommerce site, while keeping the cost of doing business lower in the long term. An eCommerce site, who utilizes 2Checkout, will typically not be required to complete any PCI compliance forms. Under certain circumstances, the bank providing your merchant account may require an 11-question PCI Questionnaire A. By completing this form, you will be attesting that your company does not handle credit card information. No changes to your servers or business processes will be required! This is one of the many areas where 2Checkout focuses to provide more value to you, our customers and suppliers.

Article was updated on 9/21/2009 clarifying requirements for “PCI Questionnaire A.”

Yesterday, Acculynk released a white paper detailing pilot results for PaySecure, the company’s Internet PIN debit payment method integrated and utilized by 2Checkout.

The paper highlights a number of fascinating consumer usage statistics that to date, Acculynk has been able to gather from the project.

Of note, the report identified that one out of every two consumers presented the PaySecure PIN-pad as a payment option, are choosing to use PaySecure and are entering their PIN successfully. Also, considering the newness of the technology, customers are assessing the PIN pad, recognizing what it is, and entering their PIN quickly – in an average of 37 seconds – which is expected to dramatically reduce once online purchasers become more familiar with the product and use the system with regularity.

Acculynk also discovered that since the PaySecure system provides customers the opportunity to “opt out” of PIN entry at any point during the purchase (on both the entry splash page and the PIN-pad), that once consumers are on the PIN-pad, only 10% do not complete the PIN entry process. This demonstrates that a large majority of consumers are comfortable enough with the product to finish the transaction as PIN debit.

At 2Checkout, PIN debit is LIVE and here to stay. The payment method’s popularity with consumers is sweeping the nation and the world. In fact, at last month’s Direct Response Forum, in a session titled “Is Now The Time For PIN Debit,” the presenters mentioned that for the first time, as of February 2009, debit passed cash as the most widely used payment method. This is a monumental and historic shift in the fundamental way consumers purchase products. With this in mind, any e-commerce solution not accepting PIN debit as a payment method, is an incomplete solution.

Online PIN debit will continue to grow and we are proud to be blazing the trail with Acculynk to ensure 2Checkout users have access to the most convenient and complete list of payment methods available.

We want to take this opportunity to officially welcome and thank the many South African-based online businesses that took advantage of our free signup promotion offered through the end of August.

We were thrilled to attract so much positive reaction from the country’s business owners and even more so, validate the advantages 2Checkout offers South Africans within the e-commerce marketplace.

With this good news comes better news. Due to the offer’s popularity, we are extending our free signup promotion through September 30. Now, South African-based online businesses have an additional month to take advantage of 2Checkout’s special promotion, try our service risk free, and receive a full waiver of our traditional $49 USD signup fee.

Again, thank you South Africa, for your continued support! We pride ourselves on being South Africa’s ideal e-commerce solution and look forward to helping many more South African-based business owners realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

And for those of you in South Africa who have yet to take full advantage of 2Checkout’s free signup offer, visit 2Checkout Advantages in South Africa to learn more and sign up free today while our offer lasts!

My weekly reading over the past year includes various e-commerce news sites and related blogs. One blog I make sure to read regularly is Duct Tape Marketing.  The folks there know what they are talking about and are able to communicate in a very easy and casual manner.

I am pleased to let you know that we will be featuring exclusive articles from DTM’s highly qualified Marketing Coaches.  These regular articles will be in addition to our normal 2Checkout-specific content and news. Please help me in giving a warm welcome to Duct Tape Marketing – and if you have a chance, thank our own Vic for making this happen.

We are happy to announce the launch of a new site just for web developers.

Developers.2Checkout is a collection of useful website development tools such as…

• Purchase Machine and Code Generator – An application created to allow you to easily test the 2Checkout purchase routine, as well as generate code that you can use to integrate with 2Checkout.
• Return Script – A script that you can use to test the 2Checkout return process. This will analyze and display useful information returned from our purchase routine when a sale is completed.
• Instant Notification System Simulator – An application created to allow you to simulate our Instant Notification System for integration development and testing.

Developers.2Checkout also features its own forum, so developers can talk among themselves and about some of the more advanced features 2CO supports.

These are just the first tools we’re releasing to help web developers integrate their sites or shopping carts with 2Checkout. Please take a look and let us know what you think.

P.S.
To all the non-developers who just want to get up & running today, our easy plug and play cart system and many recommended 3rd party carts still make integration easy! You don’t need to be a web developer to use 2CO, but if you are, your job just got a little easier.