SecureConnect added an online Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) submission tool. Several brands, including Mr. Goodcents Subs & Pastas, have already implemented the submission service.

The SAQ was developed by the PCI Security Standards Council as a tool to help merchants review and ultimately validate their compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Since the standard was developed in 2006, all merchants that process, store, or transmit cardholder data must adhere to the requirements detailed in the PCI DSS. To ensure compliance with these requirements, merchants that are not required to undergo an on-site review must validate compliance by completing an annual SAQ.

Covering numerous aspects of information security, it can be a challenge for a merchant to understand and implement the security initiatives detailed in the PCI DSS. It is quickly learned that the process of validating compliance is much more involved than simply completing and submitting the SAQ to their acquiring/merchant bank. To simplify this complex process, SecureConnect offers comprehensive PCI compliance services that include a fully featured and managed firewall, logging and reporting, quarterly vulnerability scanning, file integrity monitoring, and access to the mySecureConnect customer portal. In addition to these offerings, the comprehensive solution has further increased its value for customers by providing the Self-Assessment Questionnaire Submission Tool through the SecureConnect portal.

“The introduction of the submission tool has been extremely well received by our customers,” says Kristyan Mjolsnes, director of marketing at BHI Advanced Internet. “Rather than going online and navigating through the process alone, business owners can easily fill out and submit their SAQ through the portal.” Available as part of the easyPCI packages or as a standalone service, the submission tool is accessible for all SAQ validation types (A, B, C, and D).

“The SecureConnect submission tool is unique because it provides users with an organized approach for completing the necessary SAQ components,” says Joel Fusco, national account executive at BHI Advanced Internet. The online service features a seamless three-step process that provides resources and guidance to properly complete the SAQ. Additional features include an archived SAQ history that makes next year’s submission easier, a print and electronic submission options, comprehensive instructions and helpful hints throughout the document, and the ability to print a finalized SAQ.

The online submission tool is the first of many developments to be released within the SecureConnect portal this year.