Society of Payment Security Professionals Certifies 100 CPISMs Since May

PARK CITY, UT, Oct 02 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Society of Payment Security Professionals (SPSP) is pleased to
announce that they have now certified more than 100 people as Certified
Payment-Card Industry Security Managers (CPISMs). The rapid adoption of
the certification illustrates the need in the industry to provide a
standard level of data security, compliance, and industry knowledge in
the Payment-Card Industry. In November, the SPSP will introduce the
companion certification, the Certified Payment-Card Industry Security
Auditor (CPISA).

The Society of Payment Security Professionals proctored the industry's
first public CPISM training and examination in August 2008 and now over
100 people are certified worldwide. The growing demand for certification
has led the SPSP to schedule another training event in November in Dallas,
Texas. According to Shelley Johnson, Director of Education and New Media,
"The response for the CPISM training has been overwhelmingly positive and
we are seeing equal demand for our new certification, the CPISA. The
industry's rapid adoption of the CPISM, and now the CPISA, demonstrates
that individuals and organizations are looking for ways to increase their
knowledge base and demonstrate their expertise. The Society is excited to
have developed and provided a resource that so many have found to be
useful."

The CPISM and CPISA certifications were developed with the goal of
enabling the certificate holder to demonstrate proficiency and
understanding of the Payment-Card Industry, fraud and data theft trends,
the regulations that impact the industry, and application of the
regulations to various business models that are unique to the industry.
"The certifications combine security expertise and an understanding of
business needs," said Walt Conway, founder of Walter Conway Associates,
LLC. "It's the first certification that demonstrates the person holding
certificate really has an understanding of the payment card industry."

The growth of the Society of Payment Security Professionals is further
evidence of the need for a common information resource for Payment
Security Professionals(TM). Founded in April of 2008, the Society debuted
with only five members and today the SPSP has grown to over 486
individuals representing 350 organizations in 30 different countries. For
more information about the CPISM or CPISA or the upcoming training in
November, please visit the Society of Payment Security Professionals at
http://www.paymentsecuritypros.com/.

About the Society of Payment Security Professionals

The Society of Payment Security Professionals' objective is to provide
individuals and organizations involved in payment security with an online
community to share information, and access education and certification
opportunities. Society members come from a variety of businesses including
card brands, merchants, acquirers, ISOs, and more. Though their
organizations may vary, they all share one purpose: to protect sensitive
customer data using the most current, viable technologies and processes.
The SPSP is managed by The Aegenis Group.

Media Contact:

John Matejka
Director of Communications
Society of Payment Security Professionals
Email Contact
435-615-7711

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-