ABC Financial Services Joins PCI Security Standards Council as Newest Participating Organization

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC Financial Services (ABC), the leading provider of software and billing in the Health and Fitness Industry, announced today that it has joined the PCI Security Standards Council as a new participating organization.  As a Participating Organization, ABC will work with the Council to evolve the PCI Data Security Standard (DSS) and other payment card data protection standards.  

The PCI DSS, endorsed by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa Inc., requires merchants and service providers that store, process or transmit customer payment card data to adhere to information security controls and processes that ensure data integrity.  More information on the council and the standard can be found at www.pcisecuritystandards.org

As a Participating Organization, ABC will now have access to the latest payment card security standards from the Council, be able to provide feedback on the standards and become part of a growing community that now includes more than 500 organizations. In an era of increasingly sophisticated attacks on systems, adhering to the PCI DSS represents an entity's best protection against data criminals.  By joining as a Participating Organization, ABC is adding its voice to the process.

"The PCI Security Standards Council is committed to helping everyone involved in the payment chain protect consumer payment data," said Bob Russo, General Manager of the PCI Security Standards Council. "By participating in the standards setting process, ABC Financial demonstrates they are playing an active part in this important end goal."

"ABC fully understands that trust and security are the cornerstones of our products, services, and custom relationships," stated Doug Elkins, Chief Information Officer for ABC Financial Services. "We are honored to be a member of the PCI Security Standards Council and look forward to working among the thought-leaders in the payment industry."

The mission of the PCI Security Standards Council is to enhance payment account security by driving education and awareness of PCI security standards. For more information, please visit www.pcisecuritystandards.org

About ABC Financial

Established in 1981, ABC Financial Service, Inc., is the nation's premier provider of recurring payment processing, billing services, club management software, and membership marketing solutions. Headquartered in the Little Rock, Ark. area, ABC Financial serves approximately 3,000 fitness clubs with approximately two million members nationwide. The company's industry-leading club management software DataTrak, is the most complete web-based software in the health and fitness industry. For more information, please visit www.abcfinancial.com.

SOURCE ABC Financial