Heartland/Smart Card Alliance Launch Payments Security Center

Payment processor Heartland Payment Systems announced Wednesday (Feb. 17) that it has joined forces with the Smart Card Alliance to launch the National Center for Advanced Payments and Identity Security.

The training facility, which will be hosted by the Smart Card Alliance, was made possible through a grant from Heartland and is located in Arlington, VA.

The center is aimed at helping protect consumers’ privacy and advancing the data security of payments and identity through education programs on industry best practices and advances in security technology, the company stated.

“Protecting customers is our number one priority, so it is duty that we help educate them to better protect consumers’ privacy and advance the security of payments and identity through education programs on best industry practices and advances in security technologies, like our Heartland Secure, Heartland Secure Out-of-Scope solution and our comprehensive breach warranty. The National Center for Advanced Payments and Identity Security is yet another way in which Heartland will help educate others to avoid the pitfalls of payments and identity security,” Robert O. Carr, chairman and CEO of Heartland Payment Systems, said in a statement.

Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of Smart Card Alliance, added: “Education is fundamental to improving the way the industry manages security. With this donation from Heartland Payment Systems, the Smart Card Alliance is able to greatly expand education and collaboration programs aimed at improving security across multiple markets and subject areas, including payment security, identity security and privacy protection, through face-to-face and online events and assets.”