Some Good Advice for Merchants

Visa released some interesting documents this week.  You might want to have a look at one or all of them:

• Here is a link to merchant training Visa offers.  The current session is for franchises, but there may be some good information there for others, too.  Visa usually posts the slides from these sessions online, so you can always check back later to see what you missed.
• The Security Tips for Retailers is valuable for understanding what is cardholder data and how to avoid storing sensitive authentication data like the security codes.  It reinforces the maxim: if you don't need it, don't keep it.  Good advice.
• Perhaps the most valuable is Visa's ecommerce tips and best practices for small merchants.  The PCI Council's ecommerce Special Interest Group (SIG) has completed its work, and that report should be available later this fall.  In the meantime, have a look at this document.  

Lastly, there is a good article featuring Branden Williams (there is a link to his blog on the right) that is worth reading.  He addresses particular practices for card-present or brick-and-mortar merchants.  You can read it here.