Hackers are Sophisticated, Smart and Ready to Take Advantage of Your Business, Says Chris Mark, Founder of the Society of Payment Security Professionals

Utah Technology Council Breakfast Event, Sponsored by ProPay, Urges Leaders to
"Get Rid of Their Data"
SALT LAKE CITY--(Business Wire)--
In response to recent billion dollar security breaches, the Utah Technology
Council (UTC), (www.utahtech.org) Utah`s premier professional organization,
hosted a startling business discussion with Chris Mark, an international expert
in the field of data security to discuss strategies for protecting businesses
against hackers.

"Hackers take advantage of mistakes you make in order to get a foot in the door
of your company," stated Mark. "We often think a hacker is some 19-year-old kid
living in his grandmother`s basement, but in reality, they are very smart and
sophisticated people, often some of the brightest people around and the only
real way to protect your company`s data from hackers is by removing your
sensitive data rather than storing it."

Mark added that hackers want to attach malicious software to servers that allows
them to steal sensitive data from companies. Some examples of sensitive data
include:

* Credit card numbers
* Social Security numbers
* Bank account numbers
* Bank routing numbers

Additionally, Mark believes that companies must go the extra mile in keeping
themselves protected, yet most people learn this lesson after a breach or hack.
"It`s mere child`s play for a hacker to create malicious software that can get
past your anti-virus software," he said. "Increasing your data security makes it
more difficult for the hacker to get inside. Many times this is the difference
in a breach or security."

"Today`s discussion was a definite eye-opener," said Richard R. Nelson,
president and CEO of UTC. "Hackers are a living, breathing, ugly entity that
most of us know little about, and we must have a reality check to increase
awareness and security to protect our businesses and our homes. This was one of
our most compelling UTC breakfast events."

To learn more about future UTC events, visit www.utahtech.org or call
801-568-3500.

About Utah Technology Council

Utah's premier professional association, the Utah Technology Council has become
the essential business resource for life science and high-tech companies seeking
to achieve greater success. At its core, UTC exists to foster the Growth of the
state's more than 5,000 technology companies, ensure Utah develops the highest
Quality Workforce in the nation and attract an ever-increasing array of Funding.
Members join UTC to share insights with industry peers, counsel with government
and academic leaders and receive help from professional service providers and
funding resources. To become a member of this "must-join" organization, visit
www.utahtechcouncil.org or call 801-568-3500 today.

About ProPay

Since 1997, ProPay has led the market in providing simple, safe and affordable
credit card processing and electronic payment services for businesses ranging
from the small, home-based entrepreneur to multi-billion-dollar enterprises.

ProPay understands the unique needs of these businesses and has created merchant
services specifically for them. With ProPay, merchants can set up accounts
online and begin accepting credit cards without buying special equipment or
making long-term commitments or investments. ProPay leads out in educating
merchants about how to reduce or eliminate the risk of touching or holding
sensitive cardholder data. The company also leads the payments market in the
development of secure end-to-end solutions for protecting sensitive data and of
alternative payment options that significantly reduce business costs. For
further information, visit www.propay.com.

Utah Technology Council
Judy Young, 801-568-3500
jyoung@utahtechcouncil.org
or
Snapp Conner PR
Cheryl Snapp Conner
Managing Partner
P-801-994-9625
C-801-376-2158
cheryl@snappconner.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009