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• PCI DSS certification affirms Network’s conformity to highest industry standards of payment-card security
• Achievement strengthens Network’s commitment to protecting customer data and retaining a robust security infrastructure

Network International KSA, the KSA arm of Network International – the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region – has successfully attained Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Version 4.0 certification, strengthening its robust presence and local expertise in Saudi Arabia.

Network International KSA is one of the first companies in the Kingdom to successfully achieve compliance with PCI DSS Version 4.0 certification. This accomplishment underscores its pioneering role in advancing security standards and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to protecting customers’ payment card data.

PCI DSS is a renowned stringent global industry standard for compliance and security, established by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) to protect sensitive information and prevent fraud. It is a global standard expected of any entity that stores, handles or transmits cardholder data regardless of geographic location. PCI SSC standards and resources help protect people, processes, and technologies across the payment ecosystem to enable secure payments worldwide. The Version 4.0 certification is the highest industry standard in the market.

The certification was awarded by an independent Qualified Security Assessor, SISA, who performed the certification audit against the latest PCI DSS Version 4.0.PCI DSS was developed to address evolving security threats and provide a more flexible framework for organizations to achieve and maintain compliance. It incorporates updates to address new vulnerabilities and attack vectors, offers enhanced flexibility to help organisations innovate and adopt new technologies without compromising security, includes more robust requirements for multi-factor authentication (MFA), and features stronger encryption and hashing requirements to ensure that cardholder data remains protected during transmission and storage.

Commenting on the announcement, Abdulaziz Al-Dahmash, Managing Director-KSA, Network International, said, “Following the procurement of our Major Payment Institution licence from the Saudi Central Bank, we are proud to achieve another milestone – the highest industry certification that will enable secure payments for Saudi-based merchants and businesses in the evolving digital landscape of Saudi Arabia. As a leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), our customers and the security of their data are of paramount importance.”

In February 2024, Network obtained a Major Payment Institution licence from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Building on its 30-year regional experience, Network will foster strategic financial inclusion objectives within Saudi Arabia by providing secure and robust payment solutions to merchants and businesses of all sizes.