AEP Joins PCI Security Standards Council

SOMERSET, N.J. -- AEP Networks, the leader in policy-based networking, announced today that it has joined the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council as a new participating organization. As a Participating Organization, AEP 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, 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, AEP Networks 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 400 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, AEP 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, AEP Networks demonstrates they are playing an active part in this important end goal."

AEP Networks Inc.

PCI Security Standards Council LLC