Stage Stores Partners With Ingenico Group And Chase Paymentech To Enhance Cyber Security

Safetech powered by Ingenico Group’s On-Guard encryption technology provides data security for Stage Store’s electronic transactions

From NRF 2015, Ingenico Group, global leader in seamless payment, recently announced that Stage Stores, a leading neighborhood retailer that delivers brand-name family apparel in 40 states across the U.S., implemented with Chase Paymentech point-to-point encryption (P2PE) for its almost 900 stores in the US. Now customers shopping at Stage Stores’ five brands (Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage) will conduct their payment transactions on Ingenico Telium terminals using Chase’s Safetech encryption, powered by Ingenico Group’s On-Guard technology.

“Securing our customers’ information is very important to us. Ingenico Group and Chase Paymentech have been great partners in assisting Stage Stores with developing our multi-layered Cyber Security Strategy,” said Steven Hunter, Executive Vice President and CIO at Stage Stores.

Ingenico Group’s On-Guard technology was the first encryption technology to be included in a Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certified P2PE solution, and the first in the U.S. to be certified as part of a complete solution with EMV. On-Guard provides merchants with a data security strategy that not only protects payment data, but also provides a clear roadmap for PCI P2PE approval.

“It has long been understood that total payment security requires a layered approach,” said Gregory Boardman, Senior Vice President of Product and Development for Ingenico Group. “As we count down to the EMV liability shift in 2015, the issue of card fraud is a growing one. Retailers are keenly aware of the necessity of protecting card data across their networks and the Safetech solution provides powerful protection for Stage Stores against data compromise. Because On-Guard technology encompasses all payment types and modes, this is an added benefit to the consumers who want to pay using magstripe, EMV or even contactless payment methods.”

Another advantage to the Ingenico Group system was that each of Stage Stores’ devices were updated to activate the Safetech solution without being removed from service, thanks to Ingenico Group’s Estate Manager platform. In most cases, P2PE technologies require the injection of a special key to activate the service. Ingenico Group’s Remote Key Injection system (RKI) allowed for this key insertion while the terminals remained installed in the field, therefore eliminating business disruptions and providing a big cost savings for Stage Stores.

“Merchants want shopping to be easy, safe, secure and reliable for their customers, while also mitigating the risks and costs associated with storing, processing and transmitting online payment data,” said Jim Allen, Group Executive of Enterprise Product Management for Chase Paymentech. “We are pleased to help Stage Stores address this need with our Safetech fraud and security solutions to provide a safe and optimal shopping experience for their customers.”

About Ingenico Group
Ingenico Group is the global leader in seamless payment, providing smart, trusted and secure solutions to empower commerce across all channels, in-store, online and mobile. With the world’s largest payment acceptance network, we deliver secure payment solutions with a local, national and international scope. We are the trusted world-class partner for financial institutions and retailers, from small merchants to several of the world’s best known global brands. Our solutions enable merchants to simplify payment and deliver their brand promise. For more information, visit www.ingenico.com.

About Stage Stores Inc.
Stage Stores, Inc. operates primarily in small and mid-sized towns and communities. Its stores, which operate under the Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage names, offer moderately priced, nationally recognized brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family. The Company currently operates 858 stores in 40 states. The Company also has an eCommerce website. For more information, visit www.stagestoresinc.com.

About Chase Paymentech
Chase Paymentech is part of Chase Merchant Services, the global payment processing, merchant acquiring and offers business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chase Paymentech is a leading provider of payment, fraud and data security, capable of authorizing transactions in more than 130 currencies. The company’s proprietary platforms enable integrated solutions for all payment types, including credit, debit, prepaid stored value and electronic check processing; as well as alternative and mobile payment options. Chase Paymentech has combined proven payment technology with a long legacy of merchant advocacy that creates quantifiable value for companies large and small. In 2013, Chase Paymentech processed 35.6 billion transactions with a value of $750.1B. For more information, visit www.chasepaymentech.com.