Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are implementing new tactics to capture customer data. As a result, retailers need to constantly fortify their payment systems in order to ensure data security and PCI compliance.
Due to recent industrywide data breaches, American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) has implemented Netsurion, a provider of cloud-managed IT security services, as its preferred managed firewall solution. The remotely hosted platform is designed to improve security across its chain of nearly 6,500 Dairy Queen stores and corporate locations.
Throughout the selection process, ADQ sought out a solution designed to handle PCI compliance complexities within its complex franchise environment. Netsurion’s proprietary SAQuick application, paired with its managed security solution, is designed to simplify the compliance process and can save franchisees significant time by filling out as much as 75% of their annual PCI Security Assessment Questionnaire.
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“Netsurion took the time to understand the specific environments and security needs our franchisees have and created custom service offerings designed specifically on those needs,” said Chuck Eicher, Director of Restaurant Technology for American Dairy Queen. “We were impressed with Netsurion’s attention to detail in the security space coupled with a comprehensive service offering and competitive rates.”
When the ADQ team tested the Netsurion solution, they noticed numerous benefits that eventually led to the selection and implementation. For example, ADQ is able to monitor credit card traffic volume through the firewall, which helps prevent firewalls from being circumvented.
“A drop in this volume might indicate a problem with the payment system,” Eicher said in an interview with Retail TouchPoints. “Or that someone at the location is bypassing the electronic security that Netsurion puts into place.”
ADQ also is now able to detect and lock out unauthorized devices attempting to connect to the network. When customers’ credit card information leaves the network, Netsurion can help ensure that it is only transmitted only to authorized locations.
“Netsurion provides us with a variety of alerts that specifically pertain to rogue equipment being plugged into the network unexpectedly, whether they are wireless or wired,” Eicher explained. “The solution has a full set of alerts on suspicious traffic, whether that is outbound traffic to known dangerous sites, or hackers on the Internet trying to break into the firewall.”
The firewall remains compatible with virtually every POS system, enabling the service to meet the PCI compliance needs of every individual franchise, Eicher explained. Netsurion reps operate the solution remotely, allowing franchise owners to focus on other parts of the business rather than constantly monitoring the security. Because the solution is fully managed, it doesn’t require any experience or special on-site training for franchise staff.
“Netsurion offers around-the-clock, centralized remote management of firewalls and wireless access points,” Eicher stated. “This is critical for us as a franchisor, our franchisees, as well as any other SMB that lacks IT resources on site. With managed services, we benefit from enterprise-class network security and the always-on availability of highly trained and experienced engineers who can expertly manage and maintain firewall defenses.”
