PCI Compliance in Higher Education Fundraising: Four Ways That a Secure, PCI-Certified Platform Helps You Amplify Donor Engagement

PCI compliance in higher education is a big deal. The most consistent question related to remote engagement that we’ve had over the past few months is “how secure is that?” This was a top question as engagement centers (that thing we used to call phonathon) went remote. As students and other ambassadors ask for gifts remotely, you want to be certain that this is being done in a way that protects donor data and financial information. RNL has achieved PCI-DSS certification for the security of our remote engagement platform, RNL Engage.

Here are four ways that choosing a PCI-DSS certified provider will help you amplify donor engagement:

1. A security misstep is something you cannot afford
2. PCI certified solutions and security protocols help you overcome internal barriers
3. Security certification means the platform or consultant you’re working with has done their homework
4. Security-certified and PCI compliant solutions will help you raise money

A security misstep is something you cannot afford.

This is a challenging time to capture and keep donors. Security is important every day, no matter what the conditions in the world. But major corporations, insurance providers, retailers have all learned that the effects of a security breach are long-lasting There are people today who have experienced identity theft or had credit card numbers stolen who don’t shop at some of these places or forever associate their brand with the breach. We can’t afford those missteps right now, in the environment for philanthropy and for communicating our mission and purpose amidst scarce resources.

PCI certified solutions and security protocols help you overcome internal barriers.

We all work with people who (rightfully) ask tough questions and have to block initiatives because of security concerns. Your IT or Advancement Services division will have questions. An external validation like PCI certification will help you satisfy these gatekeepers, and get your donor engagement moving more quickly. And you need to keep engagement moving now, or you’re going to lose donor attention.

Security certification means the platform or consultant you’re working with has done their homework.

Reaching PCI-DSS certification isn’t easy. It takes a company significant work to develop their technology, put the crucial security protocols in place and convince the certifying body that it all works and that the company will constantly update, patch and maintain the technology. As an employee at a certified company, I even have to do personal education and pass a test each year. We literally had a round of virtual “cheering” when we achieved our most recent certification at RNL. It’s a significant investment for us, and high value for you.

Security-certified and PCI compliant solutions will help you raise money.

The road to security is a multi-lane street. Even after you choose a PCI-certified provider, you will have to maintain security protocols, and the best practices you absorb from a certified provider will help. As a result, you will be able to quickly answer security questions from donors, and just be more confident. That confidence will translate into donor confidence, and the gifts will flow.

RNL offers an array of PCI-compliant and certified solutions, including remote outreach and gift acceptance through RNL Engage. Contact us today to hear how these tested platforms can help take your donor engagement to the next (secure) level.