Are virtualized servers PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant? The PCI Alliance and leading virtualization vendors are teaming up to answer that question by offering a free Webinar on virtual security on March 18 at noon eastern time.

Experts from Reflex Security, Citrix Systems, Fortisphere, and the PCI Security Vendor Alliance will lead a presentation entitled: Virtually Compliant -- How Server Virtualization Impacts Data Security and PCI Compliance. Although there is no charge for the Webinar, space is limited and you must register to participate.

Virtualization Presenters include:

--  David Taylor, CISSP -- President, PCI Alliance & Founder, PCI Knowledge Base
--  Dave Devalk -- EVP & GM Reflex Virtual, Reflex Security
--  Kurt Roemer, CISSP -- Chief Security Strategist, Citrix Systems
--  Chris Farrow, CISSP, CISM, & GPCI -- Director, Product Management, Fortisphere
   

PCI DSS 2.2.1 is at the center of the question about compliancy because it mandates that assessors "verify that only one primary function is implemented per server." Another PCI requirement (1.3) could require you to have a firewall between 2 virtual server environments. Some assessors take the position that server virtualization is not compliant, while others say virtualization of servers works like network segmentation, to reduce the scope of the PCI audit.

Beyond these questions, server virtualization has some significant implications for how existing security controls, such as IDS and IPS function, which can make them less effective. As virtualization proliferates, companies must to a very thorough analysis of how it impacts the effectiveness of their existing controls, and develop a plan that will ensure virtualization has a positive, rather than a negative impact on security. Learn about these important security issues facing organizations that are moving to virtual servers. More information regarding the Webinar is available at this Web site.