… 1st in Ghana to be certified by global market leader in cyber & information security, Sysnet
Customer confidence in Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited’s cards and other payments and collections channels received a further boost on Wednesday 28th February, 2018 when the bank received the Attestation of Compliance (AoC) from the global certification company – Sysnet Global Solutions. The AoC represents the final hurdle to the bank to be certified as PCI DSS compliant under version 3.2 compliance certification. The PCI DSS certificate is heralded as the most demanding payment-card security standard recognized globally by industry watchers.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards provided for organizations that store, process or transmit cardholder data. Governed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), the compliance certification aims to secure credit and debit card transactions against data theft and fraud.
PCI DSS compliance and certification ensures the security of card data through a set of requirements established by the PCI SSC, which is also considered the best way to safeguard sensitive data and information, thereby helping businesses build long-lasting relationships with their customers.
By this attainment, GTBank Ghana becomes one of very few Banks in West Africa (1st in Ghana) to be certified by the global market leader in cyber and information security, Sysnet Global Solutions which specializes in designing robust control frameworks and assessment services. Sysnet is regarded as possessing one of the longest pedigrees in the cyber security world.
The PCI standard provides steps that all service providers and merchants who process card payments, store or transmit debit or prepaid card information need to follow in order to provide secure transactions.
It will be recalled that in 2016, the Bank of Ghana, supported by VISA and MasterCard directed all banks and merchants operating within the country to acquire PCI DSS certification in order to protect card details of customers.
Commenting on this achievement, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, Mr. Lekan Sanusi said it represents a new wave of recognition for the Bank.
“Gaining certification is an endorsement that our cards and other payments systems are very secured and safe for use by our cherished customers and patrons of the general public. Now, customers can use their cards online, on PoS and at the ATM without worrying about their transaction information getting into the wrong domain. Their data is very secured with us.”
Group Head of Enterprise-Wide Risk Management, Oscar Dadzie further explained the importance of this certification. “We have put in stringent measures to ensure that debit cards are secure and our customer information cannot be accessed by unauthorized persons. Customers can now rest knowing that their cards are safe and they will vastly reduce the risk of card fraud. We are happy that our efforts have finally received certification by a world recognized body, Sysnet.”
The PCI DSS certification is a further endorsement of the Bank’s strength in the use of electronic channels and systems for the convenience of customers and the general public, a quality which has received numerous recognitions locally and internationally.
GTBank was named the “Best Digital Bank of the Year”, “Technology Advanced Bank of the Year” and “Best Bank in Mobile Financial Service” awards winner at the 2017 Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards.
Capital Finance International (cfi), United Kingdom, the publisher of the reputable cfi.co, a business, economics and finance magazine also awarded the bank as “Best Digital Banking – Ghana 2017”.