Global Authority PCI Security Standards Council to Convene Regional Experts in the United Arab Emirates on March 19

Dubai, UAE; 26 February 2015 - Security of payment card data, the future of online payments and growth of e-commerce will be under the spotlight during the first Middle East Payment Forum when it takes place in Dubai next month. The one-day event will take place on March 19, and is organized by PCI Security Standards Council, the US-based global authority on card and payment security.

The forum will drive dialogue and action on the security of card and payment data for regional consumers by uniting international payment security experts to explore the latest technology, exchange ideas on global standards, and offer security updates. The platform is designed to accelerate the provision of best practice in the Middle East and North Africa - a region that lags behind global standards of best practice and consumer confidence in card and payment security.

A consumer fraud report, published last year by ACI Worldwide, found that of the 20 countries surveyed - including India, China, the US and UK - the country with the highest percentage of respondents that reported being a victim of card fraud in the last five years, was the United Arab Emirates. The PCI Security Standards Council - an open global body established in 2006 - is responsible for the development, management, education, and awareness of global security standards.

"The rise of e-commerce and of mobile retail applications provides tremendous opportunities for growth in the Middle East and North Africa region," said Jeremy King, International Director of the PCI Security Standards Council.

"Innovative, small and medium sized businesses as well as multinationals will need to work closely with data and security authorities to ensure customers are prepared to make the transition - alongside companies - to an online platform. This gathering of the global card security community will catalyze that process to unlock further opportunities in the region."

PCI International Director Jeremy King will be a key speaker, alongside regional expert Dr. Abdul Malek Al Jaber - Chairman of Middle East Payment Services (MEPS) and Founder and Chairman of MENA App.

Middle East Payment Services (MEPS) was established in 2009 and is a regional representative member body of PCI and a PCI DSS Certified provider of secure e-commerce payment gateway solutions in the region. As an active partner in the first Middle East Payment forum, MEPS will support the region as it looks to tap the full potential of online commerce

"The Middle East Payment Forum is an invaluable opportunity to educate local stakeholders about the latest global advances and best practices in the field of e-commerce so that we can continue to create pathways to greater trust and utilization of online payments," said Dr. Abdul Malek Al Jaber, Chairman of Middle East Payment Services.

"Successfully integrating secure payments into a network is about adhering to three key steps; understanding the risks, educating your stakeholders both internally and externally, and staying prepared for a breach. The more organizations we can get on board to implement these tactics, the more effective the experience for both consumers and retailers alike."

Other speakers at the event include Troy Leach - Chief Technology Officer of PCI Security Standards Council, Stephen W. Orfei - General Manager of PCI Security Standards Council, and Christopher J. Novak - Managing Principal of the Verizon Investigative Response Unit.

The forum will take place at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai.

For more information and to register to attend, visit: events.pcisecuritystandards.org/

About the PCI Security Standards Council
The PCI Security Standards Council is an open global forum that is responsible for the development, management, education, and awareness of the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and other standards that increase payment data security. Founded in 2006 by the major payment card brands American Express, Discover, JCB International, MasterCard and Visa Inc., the Council has 700 Participating Organizations representing merchants, banks, processors and vendors worldwide. To learn more about playing a part in securing payment card data globally, please visit: pcisecuritystandards.org.

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© Press Release 2015