NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Reliant, the market leader in virtualized retail application and data security solutions, announced its qualification as the industry's first Qualified Integrator and Reseller (QIR) under the PCI Security Standards Council's recently created QIR program.  Reliant will showcase recent innovations in virtualized payment applications integrated with its flagship Redbox Platform at the National Retail Federation's 102nd Annual Convention & EXPO, to be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City from January 14th through January 16^th.

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Through its patented Redbox Platform, the in-store private cloud, Reliant provides a comprehensive data security suite (PCI), powerful network infrastructure and an open platform to host a variety of in-store retail applications.  Redbox Platform cost-effectively delivers VoIP, Digital Signage, Interactive Kiosk, DVR, Guest Wifi, Payment Applications, Music and more from one centrally managed, locally hosted appliance. Redbox Platform virtual configurations and software updates are managed centrally through Redbox Platform Manager.

In response to the industry's request for more instruction to help address security risks that can lead to cardholder data compromise during the payment application deployment process, the PCI Security Standards Council created the Qualified Integrators and Resellers (QIR)™ program.  The program provides training and qualification for integrators that sell, install and/or service PA-DSS validated payment applications for merchants' PCI DSS security efforts.

"Payment card security is a shared responsibility.  Integrators and resellers, payment software providers and merchants must work together to protect cardholder data.  The Qualified Integrators and Resellers (QIR)™ program not only helps integrators and resellers better understand how to address some of the basic security flaws we're seeing that can be easily avoided, but also it makes it easier for merchants to have confidence in the services being provided to them, "said Bob Russo, General Manager, PCI Security Standards Council.  "The Council congratulates Reliant for becoming the first QIR and demonstrating its commitment to supporting merchants' PCI DSS compliance efforts through secure installation and maintenance of PA-DSS validated payment applications."

"In the past, some compliance details encountered by Reliant when deploying retail payment applications were left to the interpretation of the merchant and QSA communities.  This led to some inconsistencies, which have now been resolved with the launch of the QIR program.  The PCI SSC has given us a better-defined and standardized process to follow," said Phil Stead, Vice President of Retail Systems at Reliant.  "With this qualification and the continuing improvement in standards for implementing payment applications in retail stores, we look forward to integrating our Redbox Platform with an even wider variety of payment systems" added Mark Weiner, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Reliant. 

About PCI Security Standards Council:  The mission of the PCI Security Standards Council is to enhance payment account security by driving education and awareness of PCI security standards.  For more information, please visit www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

About Reliant:  Reliant transforms IT's approach to delivering and supporting store systems by allowing retailers to create an in-store private cloud.  This allows a wide range of application, systems and network configurations to be centrally delivered, managed and maintained, reducing ongoing support costs and eliminating the need for equipment to otherwise run each application.  This highly flexible and secure architecture in turn enables retail executives to keep pace with 21st century customer-engaging applications.  For more information, visit www.reliantsecurity.com.

Media Contact: Traci Weiner, Reliant Security, 917-338-2200, traciweiner@reliantsecurity.com

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SOURCE Reliant Security