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Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:30:42 -0700

So if you haven't heard about my new book What Success Takes I would like to share it with you and how you can get my book for Free. Just visit http://www.whatsuccesstakes.com today and check out the video I have that tells you everything you need to know.

http://porter00.stumbleupon.com/review/31609263/

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:55:44 -0700

Choose Security Measure that Correspond to the PCI Standard.

The PCI Standards mandated by the PCI Security Council aims at protecting you as a business and the consumer. In this age of technological progress almost every transaction is carried on over the internet, online. These online transactions and data that is stored are what provide the thieves (hackers) the ability to make identity theft an everyday word these days. This hacking ultimately leads to a loss of money as they get to know the details of your customers account number and personal information.

A majority of the major credit card companies came together and formed some wonderful PCI Standards and an open source consortium called the PCI council which prescribes certain PCI (Payment Card Industry) standards that needs to be followed during every transaction that is being processed. Conforming to these standards has become mandatory as this provides the each network being handled with enough ways and means to secure itself. Do these standards and securities get rid of 100% of the problems? No. But it is a great start to a better way to conduct business online and through credit card handheld machines.

This PCI Standards are applicable to all organizations, which store, process or transmit cardholder data. There are important standards that are specified and the most important among them include the PCI Data Security Standard. Again this is mainly applicable for all merchants and processors who take care of cardholder data, but anyone with a website should take certain measures to keep the hackers out. Another important PCI standard is called the payment application data security standard. This is applicable to software developers who make applications that give the service of processing and accepting payment cards.

When merchants use such applications it is mandatory that they choose those that conform to the standards completely. The next PCI Standard is called the PIN entry device security requirements. These are applicable for devices used at the point of sale for the purpose of transactions. When these devices are used within your business, they too need to be PCI compliant. The PED security requirements need to be fulfilled to the core. These are devices that are placed at the point where the sale happens. These require the entry of a personal identification number which is the first thing that thieves look for.

The security requirements include the presence of device characteristics. These device characteristics must provide security both at the physical level and at the logical or functional level. The device management is also very crucial. The way in which these devices are produces, transported, stored and used so that there is not unauthorized modifications that happen during the course when which it functions.

The Payment application data security standards are based on the payment application that receives details that are impregnated on the magnetic stripe or a chip on the card. This needs to provide password security features.

The most important care must be taken during wireless transmissions. Any area of vulnerabilities must be addressed with immediate importance providing the best support possible. If your business in anyway provides online and offline transactions, it would be in your best interest and also your customers interest, to use such PCI compliant systems, security, and standards within your business.

http://porter00.stumbleupon.com/review/31396084/

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:28:16 -0700

Choose the Best PCI Scanning Available - Secure Your Network and TransactionsAny industry that handles cardholder data needs to take all precautionary measures required. This is because of the large number of cyber thieves who have come into existence that look for cardholder data. If a hacker can gather these details about the most important data present on the card like the permanent account number then this is what gives them access to all your money and worst of all your customers’ money. There is an open consortium called the PCI Security Standards Council that raises awareness of three main PCI scanning standards.

All companies are required to maintain high standards in the PCI scanning methods that they choose. You must comply with the PCI scanning standards as the council imposes strict regulations in this regard.PCI or the Payment Card Industry was founded by five of the major credit card companies so that a unique set of standards were set that was mandatory to be followed during the course of any online transaction. PCI compliance is very important for any merchant because it makes sure that you are guarded against frauds that occur in this payment industry.

To achieve PCI compliance it is mandatory to fulfill certain requirements that are specified by the council. The amount to which you need to satisfy these requirements are based on the level that you are categorized into. PCI scanning includes the presence of a PCI approved scanning vendor, performing the scan operation of all the address that is used by the general public during any transaction process. If you provide this access to other third party shopping carts you need to make sure that even these addresses are present in the list of websites to be scanned.

This process of scanning is followed by the provision of a report that gives intricate details about your compliance and these are categorized into levels which you must supply to the vendor from whom you are extracting these services. There are four such merchant levels and you will be placed under any one of them based on the transactions that are handled. These reports, upon submission to the acquirer, will make sure that you are signed in for the particular scan that is required for your level. There are scans available on both a daily basis as well as a quarterly basis. All that is required to be PCI compliant is a quarterly scan. Although, it is always better to select a scan on a daily basis as this is what makes sure that you have your entire network scanned daily providing a network that is more secure to your customers. If there are such security measures, adopted on your network it gives the visitors more confidence when they visit your website.

If you take lightly adopting such PCI scanning standards, you stand to face plenty of loss. This includes loss of confidence from your customers, loss in your stock value, cost of reimbursing payment cards upon loss, loss of sales and revenue for your company, penalties because you were not compliant that you need to pay to the council and finally in case of legal settlements the cost that is involved.

Do everything possible to protect your company and your customers by safeguarding your networks. The right steps that you take in the correct path of choosing a PCI approved scanning vendor that will protect you from all the threats online is crucial. PCI Scanning can be difficult to understand but the time to research and apply will be well worth your time.

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Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:35:44 -0800

If you already know about PCI Compliance but are yet to take action then you need to really understand why the importance of PCI Compliance and how it can save you money and make you money.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a collaborative effort to achieve a common set of security standards for use by entities that process, and store payment card data. There has been a lot of talk about how effective PCI Compliance is and will it really protect you and your customers. What you need to remember is that PCI Compliance is not the end all of security.

Security is a mindset and nobody can ever say that they are perfectly secure. PCI Compliance is the first step to building up your security by following the current security standards and scanning your servers for vulnerabilities.

Here are some great statements by Michael Dahn of PCIAnswers.com about Compliance vs. Validation and Compliance vs. Security:

"There is a difference between `compliance' and `validation'. Compliance is a state of being, one that must be maintained at all times. Validation is a point-in-time check on that state of compliance. The example I give is auto insurance. In order to comply with state laws I must maintain auto insurance at all times. When I go to register my car I have to show proof of insurance. I am validating my compliance with the law. What if I decide to cancel my insurance because it costs too much? Am I still compliant? No. Now, I still validated, but remember validation is a point-in-time while compliance is measured day by day.

Another thing to remember is that compliance, even the continuous state of compliance, does not equal security if not done right. If a company focuses on check box compliance and doing the minimum they may be able to complete the baseline audit, but does that mean they are properly managing their risk and protecting payment card data? Let me explain, I've asked many people, "can a firewall be used to segment a network?" Everyone agrees YES, but they are wrong. Only a properly configured firewall can segment a network. So if I check the checkbox saying that something is out of scope of the audit because it is segmented off, the question remains: was it properly segmented? Did you really eliminate known attack vectors?"

So ask yourself what your mindset is and where you are with the PCI Compliance and security realms of your business. Becoming compliant and secure takes time and some money, let's be honest. The amount of money and time you spend will save you in the long run and here is why.

* First of all if you are hacked and something does happen with your customer's personal and private information you could potentially be liable for the money and information lost. Also imagine the PR nightmare.
* Next think of all the sales that you are missing out on by providing trust and confidence to your visitors because you are not showing them that your site is secure and that they can trust you.

So keep all of this in mind when you are reading and pondering PCI Compliance. A suggestion would be to work with a company that can help start the process to become PCI Compliant like vulnerability scanning. A company that I would suggest is Trust Guard PCI Compliance Scanning.

http://porter00.stumbleupon.com/review/21001027/

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:04:43 -0700

So I am going crazy lately with work and with getting ready for the baby to come. I am loving the weather though, springtime is my favorite. I have been working hard on my new project that has to do with training and Social Marketing. I will be announcing what it is very soon. Anyways happy mothers day this Sunday to all you mothers.

Garrett

http://porter00.stumbleupon.com/review/20582089/

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:22:10 -0700

Posted this article at my blog about Jason Gambert and how he is going to Trademark the Term SEO. Take a look at the cartoon and find out more about the SEO Trademark Issue.

http://porter00.stumbleupon.com/review/20534713/

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:15:51 -0700

So as most of you know now my wife and I are expecting our first child in the next 3-4 weeks and I am totally excited. If you want to guess the weight, gender, and date of birth just go to my SEO Mentor blog at http://www.yourseomentor.com and you could win a free Ipod Nano and some other cool SEO products, banner ads, etc.

Here are some hints; The due date is May 22, the last ultrasound the baby was 5.5lbs!

Good luck and have fun!

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Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:16:54 -0700

My good friend Jordan Kasteler just posted on his blog an awesome post about Social Media. He gives a amazing guide of what he calls the Ultimate Social Media Resource List. You can see his blog post at http://www.jordankasteler.com/utah-seo-pro-blog/ultimate-social-media/. Thanks Jordan for the great tool we all can now use when it comes to Social Media Marketing.

http://porter00.stumbleupon.com/review/19484292/

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:03:29 -0700

An important search marketing procedure for developing a website's performance and visitors is the Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The improving of this system, monitoring search engine and website's actions, and making appropriate changes for maximizing the process are the tasks of an SEO mentor or authority.
The diverse ranges of aspects that together assist the rank of the website in the search engines encompass the occupation of a SEO mentor. Checking the website is of prime importance, investigating its texts, links, coding, images, shared links and content, varying whatever necessary.
The scrutiny of the website's content is an integral part of the SEO mentor`s job profile, examining its significance, eminence, authenticity and keyword density. Any mistake in the content can result in the website's critical existence in the search engines. Thus, content is of the utmost magnitude, necessitating a thorough assessment on the website and amending wherever necessary.
In a number of cases, the SEO mentor uses a trial and error technique to determine the factors related and apt to the website and to investigate the elements going against the betterment of it. Making inquiries and progress are also included in his job, trying and evaluating the SEO techniques of other websites. Thus, their sites can be connected to these other SEO techniques. A successful practice of a website may also possibly work for another similar website.
A part of the SEO mentor's job is to examine the website's web designing services to find its appeal quotient to both its users and the search engines for the main words. The website should be planned in such a manner so as to appeal, be easily navigated and repeatedly visited by its users and the key words be easily detected while typing in the particular search engines (consequently making the website available).

http://porter00.stumbleupon.com/review/17317343/

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:31:15 -0800

Learning something intense shouldn't have to be so hard even if what you are learning is hard. For example, in the case of what I teach and mentor which is SEO - Search engine optimization. Now SEO is necessarily hard but it is very intense and does take time to learn and implement. So learning SEO and Social Marketing from the right person is crucial.

So if you are just starting to learn SEO and you want so quick pointers let me help you out. First of all let me tell you why SEO is so important: Search Engine Optimization is one of the best ways to drive traffic to your website. Lets face it there are billions of websites and webpages on the WWW (World Wide Web) what makes you think yours is going to be seen. This is exactly how I came to the knowledge of what SEO was and why it was so important. I was working for a therapy company and they put me on the project of building them a website. I had some design experiance then and so I built them a pretty nice website. Then I learned about Google Analytics where you can track how many people visit your website. Well I soon found out that nobody but me and a couple of our employees were visiting our site. I thought to my self why in the world is nobody going to this site. I then found out that there were more websites than there were people and started doing some research. I then found out that most people find websites through Search Engines like Google, Yahoo, and MSN. This is where I first learned about Search Engine Optimization.So in conclusion I love SEO and I would love to help you out in your online journey. This is exactly why Jordan Kasteler (aka Utah SEO Pro) and I have put together this wonderful SEO and Social Marketing Membership site that will take you by the hand and give you step by step tips and techniques with online video SEO training. Just visit LearnSEOLive.com to learn more and start driving traffic to your website(s).

Garrett Pierson
Your SEO Mentor