UC Group Moves Online Security to a New Level with Acquisition of Information Security Specialists, Cognosec GmbH
LONDON, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UC Group has acquired Cognosec GmbH in a bid to extend its global information security services for the online business community. UC Group and Cognosec GmbH will jointly focus on assisting businesses to trade more securely, by providing integrated security, risk management and payment services, in response to the growing number and sophistication of cybercrimes.
Cognosec GmbH will become part of UC Group's payment business, reporting to the SecureTrading Group. SecureTrading and Cognosec GmbH together will help merchants to secure the whole payment processing value chain – data, devices and networks – as cybercrime threats become more complex and harder to manage using existing safeguards. Critically, the two companies will also help online retailers and operators to meet their PCI DSS obligations as compliance becomes increasingly complex and expensive.
UC Group is a trusted advisor to US, UK, Asia Pacific and EU lawmakers and regulators and has extensively led the call for improved consumer and business protection to identify and minimize the growing risks to online businesses. In Europe alone, cyber-attacks are growing by 60 per cent a year, while 85 per cent of credit card record thefts are stolen by means of organized crime. The US currently accounts for 47 per cent of the global credit and debit card fraud, while generating only 27 per cent of the global total volume of purchases and cash, according to a recent Nilson Report.
The Cognosec GmbH acquisition enables UC Group to combat payment processing value chain and information security risks through the assessment and application of appropriate security for businesses in any part of the globe.
Based in Vienna, Cognosec GmbH is active in Europe, Middle East, Africa and the US and its multi-lingual and multi-disciplined team has significant experience in information security consulting and assurance in many sectors, including online gaming, Government, telecommunications, finance and ecommerce. Cognosec GmbH's approach to compliance ensures that significant regulatory, internal governance and compliance issues are quickly recognized and addressed to enable management to align corporate risk appetite with its overall strategy, for businesses in both developed and emerging economies.
Oliver Eckel, CEO at Cognosec GmbH, says, "There are strong mutual benefits to both UC Group and Cognosec GmbH; through our specialisms in assurance, governance, enterprise risk and information security management, coupled with UC Group's understanding of the online market and selected exclusive worldwide partnerships, we will be able to further extend our global reach. As more and more business goes online, the volume and type of threats to security are growing; we have the skills and track record to ensure that key business assets are safeguarded, whilst ensuring that businesses can trade uninterrupted. And with the advent of mobile business, our clients will be looking for even greater support, which we are better placed to offer as part of UC Group."
Kobus Paulsen, CEO of UC Group, says, "UC Group leads the way in improving the quality and efficiency of internet business for online product and service providers. Recently UC Group has spearheaded the drive to regulate online gaming in Spain and the US to apply appropriate controls and safeguards for improved consumer protection. The acquisition of Cognosec GmbH strengthens our core proposition: to offer our clients safe and secure e-solutions for global trading."
He went on, "With the massive growth in online business and a proportionate rise in hacking, data theft and viruses, the issue of security is truly global and that concerns not just businesses, but governments, regulators, acquirers, banks and the entire payments supply chain. By integrating the Cognosec GmbH service offering as part of the SecureTrading Group, we expect to boost our position as an early port of call for companies seeking security solutions and support to implement compliance projects within the payment card industry and their business operations."
About Cognosec GmbH
Cognosec GmbH has its headquarters in Vienna, Austria and is a member of, and reports to, the SecureTrading Group. The SecureTrading Group is part of the UC Group of companies. Cognosec GmbH offers management consulting and professional services in information security, governance, enterprise risk management, compliance, and assurance to clients in the payment processing, communications, online gaming and ecommerce industries in Europe, Africa and the United States. Cognosec GmbH adds value through the deployment of professional and management consultancy services that fit the corporate risk appetite and budget of its clients.
All Cognosec GmbH assignments and managed services are led and managed by multi-lingual, multi-disciplined experienced professionals (CISM, CISA, CRISC, GWAPT) certified by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) and the SANS Institute.
Cognosec GmbH delivers services and solutions to meet client requirements through the use of its in-house service deployment methods. These methods enable clients to realize the benefits of the service or solution to be delivered and control associated costs.
About UC Group
UC Group provides integrated solutions to global providers of products and services sold online and has close relations with government regulators in the US, UK and EU, as well as card acquiring banks around the world which endorse, use and regularly audit its solutions operated by SecureTrading.
Founded in 1999 by Kobus Paulsen, UC Group's strength lies in its reputation as a pioneer in the development of solutions that enable businesses to trade securely online.
Two integrated companies form the UC Group: SecureTrading Group and UC Capital. Cognosec GmbH is a subsidiary in the SecureTrading Group. The addition of Cognosec GmbH into the SecureTrading Group reinforces the UC Group's reputation as being the leading enabler for businesses to trade securely and be PCI DSS compliant. Each company is positioned to exploit the Group's resources and complement its core strategy.
UC Group leadership consists of seasoned global leaders providing substantial management and expertise within the respective business domains of the group.
About SecureTrading
SecureTrading is the UK's leading independent payment processor, providing online payment processing for all types of businesses via the most reliable and secure internet payment gateway. Founded in 1997, the company's fast, reliable and professional online card payment services enable its customers to accept credit cards, debit cards and other payment methods such as PayPal and Ukash online.
SecureTrading also offers the most comprehensive suite of counter-fraud services available. From its core services of 3-D Secure, CVV2 and AVS to SecureTrading Fraud Score enabling IP checking and SecureTrading Identity Check which enables full KYC checks, the company reduces significantly the threat of online fraud to businesses.
For businesses looking to expand internationally, SecureTrading supports Dynamic Currency Conversion as well as European payment systems including ELV, iDeal, Sofortuberweisung and Giropay.
For more information visit www.securetrading.com
SOURCE UC Group
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