PCI-PAL creates new information security executive position

Secure payments provider PCI-PAL announced the creation of a “key role” on Monday, being a chief information security officer (CISO), as well as the appointment of a new chief technology officer (CTO).

The AIM-traded firm said effective immediately, Geoff Forsyth - a director of the company - had taken up the new role of CISO.

It said the “important” role was dedicated to maintaining the group's existing information security strategy and standards to protect customer data as it expanded our operations globally, and increasingly worked with enterprise-sized channel partners.

PCI DSS certification, information regulatory compliance, risk management and other relevant data security requirements were said to be “at the core” of the organisation, with the position reinforcing the firm’s commitment to ensuring data security and global regulatory compliance.

PCI-PAL said that o date, Forsyth had been the group's CTO and the key architect of its compliance and security practices.

Following the change in role, the board also announced that Hugh James, who was currently head of engineering, had been appointed as CTO, which is a non-board position.

It said UK-based James was bringing a “wealth of experience” specific to development operations and telephony for software services operating in cloud environments.

In addition to his PCI experience, it said his prior time at industry players such as NewVoiceMedia was “highly relevant” as it scaled its services globally.

As CTO, James would be responsible for the group's strategy in the commercial deployment of all its technology skills and assets, and the integration of PCI-PAL cloud technology into its channel partners' products.

“PCI-PAL’s mission is to safeguard reputation and trust,” said chief executive officer James Barham.

“The management of Information Security is therefore vital to our ability to achieve this, and I am extremely pleased that we are now able to allow Geoff to focus all his energy and skill on this key area.

“As PCI compliance and related regulatory enforcement of data security increasingly captures board-level attention, Geoff's deep experience will also help the Company to expand its industry prominence as a thought-leader in the field.”

Barham added that he was “equally pleased” that Hugh James had agreed to pick up the baton from Forsyth in the role of CTO, in leading the next phase of development of the firm’s “world class” cloud technology.

“Hugh's strong mix of both relevant technology and contact center industry specific experience will be of significant benefit to our global partners, as we strive to be the preferred solution provider that technology vendors globally turn to for achieving PCI compliance for payments by phone.”