Columbitech has announced its mobile VPN protects retailers existing wireless equipment to comply with updated Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). Retailers can utilize Columbitech’s software-based mobile VPN to ensure complete security against data breaches while protecting their investment in wireless equipment. This will also help them avoid expensive rip-and-replace scenarios and easily upgrade their software to meet future industry standards.

 

Columbitech’s officials inform that three of the top ten U.S. retailers currently use the Columbitech mobile VPN to secure their wireless environments. The solution is now deployed in more than 11,000 retail locations to secure their in-store wireless networks.

 

The company said that today, retailers are under strong pressure to comply with the PCI DSS requirements and often have to replace fully functional wireless devices due to inadequate security. The retailers not only have to purchase new equipment, but also pay for installation, training and maintenance. Since Columbitech’s mobile VPN is compatible with new and existing legacy devices, retailers don’t have to replace old hardware but can make a simple software upgrade to ensure full security and compliance.

 

According to Columbitech, an average retailer has to spend per store, approximately several thousand dollars to upgrade or replace their existing wireless equipment with a WPA2-based solution, including mobile computers, scanners, access points, and POS devices. This expenditure does not include training and IT staff resources required to manage the costly upgrade of rip-and-replacing hardware to the WPA2 solution. The company points out that using Columbitech’s mobile VPN, a retailer would pay only one-tenth of the WPA2 solution to secure the same store.

 

Asa Holmstrom, president of Columbitech, noted that retailers mistakenly believe the only way to comply is to replace hardware they deem to be obsolete. Retailers can actually protect their hardware investments and ensure full security with their software-based mobile VPN solution. Their company has a proven track record of customers who invest once, never get hacked and can expand into both new wireless customer-centric applications and solutions, as well as experience new cost savings and efficient improvements with inventory, distribution and logistics.

 

Columbitech offers a seamless migration path while replacing any wireless equipment, and thus the mobile VPN is a transparent transition that users will not notice. The solution is secure, compliant to new standards or technologies, and enables retail management to replace equipment at their own pace. Thanks to Columbitech, retailers do not need to worry about replacement every time a new industry requirement, such as PCI, SOX or HIPAA, comes out.