Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. has been certified with the latest Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)- Version 3.0. The Bank was presented with the certificate after undergoing a severe audit by PCI DSS Qualified Security Assessor – Panacea InfoSec.

The security standard created by leading card companies Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, provides an actionable framework for promoting a robust payment card data security process. This includes prevention, detection and appropriate reaction to security incidents. It focuses largely on staff training and practical business processes that identify and mitigate risks on time.

“As a financial institution that provides online payment platforms to millions of customers, the protection of customer data is critical to us,” said Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication, Union Bank. “This is why we have undertaken the rigorous process to upgrade to the PCI DSS version 3.0, to ensure our security infrastructure is at par with the highest international standards. We are very proud to be the first financial institution in Nigeria to achieve this certification.”

She also pointed out that the new standard makes the bank more attractive to customers as it offers improved data security to protect them from card fraud, cybercrime, identity theft, hacking and other security violations. “This will further guarantee that customers can conduct online transactions on more secure platforms and without any apprehensions.”

Apart from the PCI DSS certification, Union Bank has reinforced its overall security system through a Security Operation Centre (SOC). This will further ensure that customers can conduct online transactions on protected platforms without any apprehensions.