eBay, iTunes, PayPal - these are just a few of the places that most of us enter our credit card and personal information every day. Since the internet became an integral part of each of our lives, the treat of identity theft is a daily reality for all but the most paranoid of internet users.
While we assume that the sites listed above are secure, how many of us have in fact checked to see to what lengths these companies go to keep their user's information safe from hackers? I'm sure very few.
Because we can't count on our registrants to be careful when entering information onto the registration website, as event planners, we must make sure that we do the research to ensure that our registrant's information is safe with our online registration company. We want to send potential registrants to a site that portrays our event in a positive light. This means a website designed to our specifications, with professional quality and ease of use. But, most importantly, it means knowing that all information put online for our event will be safe from identity thieves.
One of the most important aspects of a strong security system is frequent testing and monitoring of those systems. To receive the highest rank of Level 1 PCI compliance from Visa, companies must invest a large number of resources to ensure that they are as secure as major banks and credit card companies. As of yet, very few registration companies hold this ranking, but wouldn't it be nice to know that your registration company values your registrants' security enough to make it one of their highest priorities?
Constant monitoring and testing of security is a vital part of maintain the highest possible level of security. Some methods of monitoring include an independent daily audit for over 3,000 security checks, (exceeding the highest government standards including the FBI "Top twenty security vulnerabilities" test) and separate hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly backups that are archived for at least two years.
Other important factors to look for are the TRUSTe and Thawte logos. These companies monitor the strength and maintenance of privacy policies and information encryption. According to the website, to be certified by TRUSTe, companies must have their privacy policy open for review by TRUSTe, post notice and disclosure of collection and use practices of personally identifiable information, and give users choice and consent over how their information is used and shared.
While TRUSTe ensures that companies hold to their privacy policies and never use information without the user's consent, Thawte verifies SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, meaning that the encryption of credit card information entered on the site if of the highest level possible. However, to be verified by Thawte, companies must meet stringent checklist of qualifications including both authentication and verification processes. For the authentication process, Thawte must confirm that the company registration details are entirely true and that the domain is in fact owned by the requesting party. To complete the verification process, Thawte uses a third party telephone listing to confirm that the authorized person requesting a certificate is employed by requesting party.
These are just a couple of the certifications to look for when choosing your online event registration system. When you send your attendees to the registration site, you want to be 100% sure that their data will be 100% safe so they won't have to research the security, but if they do, you can be confident that they'll like what they find.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Administrator of my parents Estate is requesting ...
By: missymolly | 01-10-2008
Administrator of my parents Estate is requesting my social security number. When ask why, he refuses to tell me. What should I do?
How I Know the other person receive my email. Is ...
By: beatrize14 | 28-09-2008
how I Know the other person receive my email. Is any way that I get
mail notification?
Foulke associates how is the security guard pay ...
By: mistylady | 27-09-2008
foulke associates how is the security guard pay scale? What are the benefits like ie: medical, vacation, etc
Monitored home alarm
By: gman | 24-09-2008
re configuring home alarm to dial up to my mobile phone
If your SSD Insurance runs out, how do you prove that you were disabled before they ran out?
By: wt | 24-09-2008
9FI applied for Social Security Disability benefits in August 2007. My last work date was August 2001. The SSA says that I am insured through December 2006, so I have to prove that I was disabled as of December 2006. How hard is that to do? Does anyone ever succeed in getting their disability benefits when they have this situation? I have been denied twice and am preparing to go before the administrative law judge(?).
Security deposit retun
By: LTP | 24-09-2008
If the rental property was sold to the tenant are the landlords responsible to return the security deposit?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Computers Articles
Everything Becomes Easy if we Use the Hidden Cameras For Surveillance
By: Fred Romano | 10/10/2008
Modern business is changing very fast. Management of modern business organizations requires relevant and up to date information about changes taking place in various aspects of business. It is only with such information the management can make proper judgments, co ordinate activities of various departments and achieve objectives of organization....
The Installation of the Hidden Cameras Prove to be Very Helpful to Catch the Trouble Makers
By: Jane Molano | 10/10/2008
Today all the needed factors and the all the useful information about the appliances like the hidden cameras, the spy cameras or many other cameras is readily presented on the websites which we can get if we surf it through the internet. It is true that these days when we...
Concept of Making Use of the Spy Cameras
By: Marcella Costante | 10/10/2008
Today the information required which can help us to change our working trends can be collected through a well progressed and leading websites of the country while surfing through the internet. We can come across all the possible information from there very advantageously and easily. These days there are many...
Is a Reverse Cell Phone Lookup Useful?
By: Julie Landry | 10/10/2008
Finding a service you can trust, that will provide reliable reverse lookup information from a cell phone, can be a bit tedious. You will generally want to find a database of information that will provide you with the most comprehensive reverse cell phone directory possible. Luckily there is in fact...
Digital SLR Versus Compact Cameras
By: Ed Terran | 10/10/2008
When looking into choosing a compact or a SLR digital camera there are a few things that you may want to consider before making a purchase. Compact cameras can be convenient but they often do not have all the features that you may want out of a camera. Some features...
Are Celestrom Binoculars the Binoculars For You?
By: Terry Ross | 10/10/2008
Celestron are well recognised as world leaders in optical design and all Celestrom binoculars, telescopes and spotting scopes are manufactured to the highest quality to deliver outstanding resolution and excellent clarity for the price.
If you want choice, affordability and value for money it is well worth looking at the extensive...
How to Make a Success of Your Software Project?
By: Jason T | 10/10/2008
Outsourcing in the Virtual World
With outsourcing becoming the most preferred business strategy in recent times, several small and big businesses have reaped huge benefits in terms of costs, quality and speed. The outsourcers make a bee-line for cheaper countries like India which have abundant English speaking skilled programmers and other...
Ultra Compact Binoculars For Everyday Use
By: Rich Russell | 09/10/2008
Binoculars have become more and more popular over recent years, having many uses in a range of outdoor recreational activities and pursuits. If you are going hunting, camping, hiking, fishing or sailing, a pair of binoculars can add a new dimension and in some cases could be an essential piece...
More from Ryan Bell
Study Tips For The CMP Exam
By: Ryan Bell | 01/01/2008 | Business
The Certified Meeting Planner certification is a classification created by the Convention Industry Council to distinguish meeting planners who have demonstrated their knowledge of special event planning via successful completion of a special CMP examination. Aside from the recognition, achievement and wide acceptance of the certification in the industry, many...
Offering A Guarantee: Increase Attendance By Promising Value
By: Ryan Bell | 22/12/2007 | Business
Many event planners, especially in the seminar and commercial events verticals, are always looking for new and innovative ways to increase attendance and revenue. While many event organizers have instituted strict refund policies when you register for an event they may actually be hurting their bottom line instead of protecting...
Customized And Reusable Email Templates
By: Ryan Bell | 24/10/2007 | Management
Ask any marketer if it's important to have your logo on all communication with any clients or potential clients, and he or she will answer with a resounding "Yes!" It's very important that everything you send out is branded by your logo so that recipients know who has sent them...
The Importance Of A Vulnerability Management Program
By: Ryan Bell | 15/10/2007 | Computers
No matter how secure a website is, there is always the possibility that it could be breached; however, how high the chances are for that breach and how that breach is dealt with if it occurs can be controlled. So, before you choose just any system for your event registration,...
Access Control: Who Has Access To Registrant Data?
By: Ryan Bell | 15/10/2007 | Business
As a busy event planner - in seemingly endless contact with venues, catering companies, and the oh-so-demanding event sponsor - can you afford to spend time developing registration spreadsheets, keeping track of each registrant's information, recording travel and hotel details, and taking and processing credit card info? For most event...
Make Your Event Website Pop With Logos And Colors
By: Ryan Bell | 26/09/2007 | Internet
The logo and colors provide the face for your event and can help to build credibility. It is always a good idea to include your organization's logo on registration forms to lend the credibility of that entity to the event itself. However, creating a separate logo for the event itself...
Make Your Event Website Pop With Great Copy
By: Ryan Bell | 26/09/2007 | Business
Once you have created a great website for your event using logos (your parent organization's and one for the event), color schemes and exciting photography you need to back it up with some great copywriting about the event to really get registrants excited. There are some important considerations when you...
Instantly Accept Payments In Multiple Different Ways
By: Ryan Bell | 11/06/2007 | Business
All online registration systems will allow you to automate your event registration by moving registrations from manual to online, but only some will have the ability to process payments online. There should be no PDF downloads, no printed forms, and absolutely no faxing or mailing allowed. You should never have...
Computers 
