February 2010 Inquiry Management Systems (IMS) announced today that it has achieved PCI-certification under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards – for its Minerva Fundraising Services Division. Minerva Fundraising Services is one of Canada’s leading providers of database management products and services to fundraisers across North America. IMS is responsible for processing and securing information on hundreds of thousands of credit cards each year on behalf of its clients.

Payment Card Industry regulations require that by September 2010 all businesses are to be in full compliance with the PCI Security Standards. Standards include: building and maintaining a secure network, protecting cardholder data and maintaining an information security policy.

“Our clients trust us with their most precious asset, their donors,” said Martin Hochstein, president of IMS. “Keeping the donors personal information secure is our top priority. That is why we’ve worked hard to achieve PCI Compliance; because without data security for our clients and their donors, charities would not be able to fully support their vital causes.”

IMS is now in a position to extend its services to assist additional Canadian and American fundraisers in becoming compliant by offering to manage the credit card components of their operations.