PCATS Extends the Discount Registration Fee for the CIO Data Security Boot Camp

Stafford, VA – The Petroleum Convenience Alliance for Technology Standards (PCATS) today announced the extension of the registration fee for the 1-1/2 day chief information officer (CIO) Data Security Boot Camp, January 19-20, during the PCATS 2010 Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The fee remains $799 for PCATS members and $899 for non-members through January 8 and includes access to the PCATS Annual Conference and related events.

PCATS and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) have partnered with Coalfire Systems, Inc., an information technology (IT) audit and compliance firm, to deliver an intensive educational boot camp that teaches about payment card industry (PCI) compliance requirements, including deadlines, merchant levels and reporting; including completing a self assessment questionnaire (SAQ). The PCI compliance report and audit scope will be reviewed, as well as a complete overview of the 12-step process to validate compliance.

“After completing the boot camp, attendees may receive 12 full continuing professional education (CPE) credits and a certificate,” said Rick Dakin, president at Coalfire. “This course is targeted for c-store industry representatives who wish to expedite compliance, reduce costs and stay current with their professional education.”

The vendor-neutral data security boot camp is intended to empower CIOs within the c-store industry by reviewing the processes and practices currently in place to support the flow of information and providing them with the steps necessary to protect customer data and better support their enterprise goals. It will help merchants understand the compliance requirements accurately and get advice on various approaches they can take to achieve proper compliance.

The registration fee for the CIO data security boot camp will increase on January 9, 2010, to $899 for PCATS members and $999 for non-members. The fee includes access to the PCATS Annual Conference and related events. To obtain additional details, or register for the CIO data security boot camp, visit http://www.pcats.org/ciobootcamp

# # #

About PCATS

The Petroleum Convenience Alliance for Technology Standards (PCATS) was founded in September 2003 to continue the development and maintenance of standards work initiated under the NACS Technology Standards Project. PCATS’ mission is to develop, maintain and assist members in the implementation of a variety of technology standards. With over 150 members, the group’s membership represents more than 22,000 convenience stores. Membership is open to any petroleum marketer, convenience store owner/operator, other retail channels, or any of their suppliers or vendors. For additional information regarding PCATS, please visit www.pcats.org/discover.

About NACS
NACS, the association for convenience and petroleum retailing, is an international trade association representing more than 2,200 retail and 1,800 supplier member companies. The U.S. convenience store industry, with over 146,000 stores across the country, posted $577.4 billion in total sales in 2007, with $408.9 billion in motor fuels sales.

About Coalfire
Coalfire Systems, Inc. is a leading IT audit and compliance firm that provides IT audit, security, and compliance solutions throughout North America. Customers are in the financial services, government, healthcare, education, legal, public electric utility, and retail industries. Coalfire's solutions are adapted to requirements under emerging data privacy legislation including PCI, GLBA, HIPAA, NERC CIP, SOX, and FISMA.  Coalfire is a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) that conducts 750 assessments annually. For more information, visit www.coalfiresystems.com.