AUCKLAND, New Zealand – 29 June 2011 – Mako Networks, a cloud-based network management and security company specialising in solutions for small businesses, and Skyzer Technologies, a leading distributor of Point of Sale (POS) technology products, have signed a new distribution agreement to help protect New Zealand merchants from the growing threat of payment card fraud.
Mako and Skyzer bring together a unique focus on the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a stringent set of security criteria that must be met by any business that processes, stores or transmits credit card data. Each year, merchants must certify that their payment systems have a baseline of security in place, and both Skyzer and Mako have built reputations for expertise and products that help businesses navigate the rigors of PCI DSS compliance.
“We’re very excited about the opportunity Mako presents for us and the industry as a whole,” says Steve Marson, General Manager of Skyzer Technologies. “With the addition of the Mako Networks product suite to our portfolio, we can add value to our resellers by ensuring the entire POS network conforms to PCI DSS. Mako offers a truly unique system that now enables us to offer added security and peace of mind for payment terminals and POS networks.”
While many POS systems boast certification under the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA DSS), this accreditation covers only the terminal handset and software system, rather than the network. Indeed, merchants commonly purchase PA DSS-compliant systems, only to later fail compliance checks. Achieving PCI DSS compliance mandates that the entire payment environment, from the point data enters the system, to transmission to an acquiring bank, must be continually protected and checked against the threat of intrusion.
“Network and payment card security is incredibly important for New Zealand, as so much of our economy is comprised of small businesses in dire need of protection from fraud and network attacks,” says Matt Atkinson, Account Manager, Mako Networks. “Recent studies have shown that payment card fraud levels among SMBs are on the rise, and Skyzer will be a great partner for us. Their reseller base in the Point of Sale market is unparalleled, and we’re keen to start work with them to lock down and protect SMB payment systems.”
The agreement goes into effect immediately, and Mako products can now be purchased from any of Skyzer’s reseller partners in New Zealand.