Groups360, the leading online marketplace for meetings and events, announced today that it has joined the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) as a new Participating Organization. Groups360 will work with the PCI SSC to help secure payment data worldwide through the ongoing development and adoption of the PCI Security Standards.

The PCI SSC leads a global, cross-industry effort to increase payment security by providing flexible, industry-driven and effective data security standards and programs. The keystone is the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which provides an actionable framework for developing a robust payment card data security process preventing, detecting and mitigating criminal attacks and breaches.

As a Participating Organization, Groups360 adds its voice to the standards development process and will collaborate with a growing community of more than 800 Participating Organizations to improve payment security worldwide. Groups360 will also have the opportunity to recommend new initiatives for consideration to the PCI Security Standards Council and share cross-sector experiences and best practices at the annual PCI Community Meetings.

 

“In an era of increasingly sophisticated attacks on systems, PCI Security Standards and resources help organizations secure payment data and prevent, detect and mitigate attacks that can lead to costly data breaches,” said Lance Johnson, Executive Director of the PCI Security Standards Council. “By joining as a Participating Organization, Groups360 demonstrates they are playing an active part in improving payment security globally by helping drive awareness and adoption of PCI Security Standards.”

“Adherence to the standards set forth in the PCI DSS guidance are not only required, but they are sound security business practices,” said Bill Hanning, chief information security officer at Groups360. “Groups360 is not only committed to following these standards, but we believe in being an active partner, working to help shape the future of payment security. Being one of the first in the hospitality industry to join the PCI SSC shows Groups360’s commitment and support to enhancing both payment security and compliance across our industry.”

 

“We take great pride in being innovators in the meetings and events industry, so we jumped at the opportunity to bring greater data security into all our technology systems as we enable meeting planners and hotels around the globe transact online,” added Jim Siegienski, Groups360’s chief technology officer.

About Groups360

Groups360 was created with a singular goal — to empower meeting planners by bringing innovation, transparency and simplicity to the decades-old problem of booking groups. The company’s integrated technology solution, GroupSync™, enables suppliers to distribute inventory, engage with planners, and optimize group revenue. GroupSync also equips planners to search and shop hotels worldwide and to book rooms and space directly, online or through a simplified RFP process. GroupSync is the first distribution channel to offer online booking for both group hotel rooms and meeting space.

Groups360 has offices in Nashville, London and Singapore. Learn more at groups360.com.

About the PCI Security Standards Council

The PCI Security Standards Council is a 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. Connect with the PCI Council on LinkedIn. Join the conversation on Twitter @PCISSC. Subscribe to the PCI Perspectives Blog.