Consumer protection goals reach forefront in Virginia

Virginia has become the first state to take executive action to ensure that consumer protection goals established by President Obama are adopted in the Commonwealth, according to Executive Order #5 issued by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

McAuliffe was quoted in a news release as saying, “As co-lead of the National Governors Association’s Resource Center on State Cybersecurity, I am keenly aware of the need for best practices and models to help spur states to advance their cybersecurity position and make it more difficult for hackers to gain access to our sensitive data.”

“We must partner with the federal government, the private sector and other states to push innovation and adoption of enhanced electronic payment technologies – by our agencies, our merchants and our citizens – to help reduce credit card fraud. This directive will ensure the highest level of security for transactions conducted between citizens and state agencies.”

Executive Directive 5 instructs the Secretaries of Finance and Technology, along with the State Treasurer and State Comptroller, to embrace advanced electronic payment technologies that meet or exceed federal standards for the Commonwealth’s merchant, prepaid debit card and purchase card programs.

It requires the main purchase card program used by state agencies to have advanced chip security features in place by no later than December 2015.

“Virginia is positioning itself as a model for other states to follow,” said Karen Jackson, Virginia Secretary of Technology.

Ellen Richey, Vice Chairman of Risk and Public Policy, Visa Inc., was quoted as saying, “Security is a shared responsibility, and it will take collaboration between the public and private sectors to combat cyber threats.”