NASHUA, New Hampshire, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ektron, a provider of web content management, social software and marketing optimization solutions, today announced its Ektron Web Content Management platform PA-DSS validation, making Ektron's eCommerce and storefront module compliant with the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) program.

"We are proud that we're the only content management solution provider to offer PCI compliance to our eCommerce customers and give them greater ability to protect their own customers' data," said Bill Rogers, Ektron founder and CEO. "Our eCommerce product is part of Ektron's ongoing efforts to develop a complete content management solution that helps customers grow their businesses profitably and securely."

PA-DSS represents a specific set of requirements that a system must meet if it is used to process credit card transactions. An independent assessor, approved by the PCI SSC, must audit each system and assign a "pass" or "fail" to the application. Those that pass are put on the official list of PA-DSS-compliant applications.

As a .NET application, Ektron eCommerce utilizes CMS400.NET's existing customization to enable integration into existing IT infrastructures. Through an open architecture and the Ektron.CMS.Commerce API, any commerce configuration is possible and gives customers the power to tie into back-end systems quickly and efficiently. Payment and shipping options are flexible with eCommerce, which integrates major purchase and shipping providers through Ektron's Provider Model, an abstraction layer to access data, making Ektron eCommerce fully extensible. PA-DSS validation for Ektron eCommerce assures merchants and their customers that their point-of-sale system encrypts and limits access to consumer credit card data.

Current Ektron eCommerce customers include the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), which provides a full-featured web storefront offering a wealth of material including books through educational and certification training tools; Fruits & Passion, providing bath and body gift-baskets, candles, creams and spa products on its website; the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women which provides clothing, official jewelry and other accessories through its site and the Australian Grand Prix, which offers event merchandise through its online store.