BV Solutions Group is Approved as a MasterCard Site Data Protection Scanning Vendor

Kansas City, Mo. (June 29, 2005) – BV Solutions Group, a global IT service provider and subsidiary of Black & Veatch Corporation, announced today that it has successfully completed the MasterCard Site Data Protection (SDP) scanning vendor testing process. As an SDP approved scanning vendor, BV Solutions Group is allowed to help online merchants evaluate the security of their Web sites that store MasterCard account data, and achieve compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard.

BV Solutions Group has achieved approved status by proving their ability to detect, identify and report vulnerabilities common to flawed web site architectures and configurations. These vulnerabilities, if not patched in actual merchant Web sites, could potentially lead to an unauthorized intrusion. By proactively identifying and providing the opportunity to remedy such vulnerabilities, SDP-approved scanning solutions offer a means for reducing risk of intrusion and data compromise.

The SDP Scanning Vendor Approval Process is an expansion of MasterCard’s Site Data Protection Program™, a comprehensive, proactive and cost-effective program designed to help protect the online and physical infrastructures of its customer financial institutions, merchants and other payment processors holding MasterCard account information.

“We view the MasterCard SDP Program as critical to the success of our clients and the protection of the identities of their clients,” said Gerald J. White, president and CEO of BV Solutions Group. “This certification augments our already strong Resiliency Program which includes continuity planning, disaster recovery and cyber security.”

“The Site Data Protection Vendor Approval Process reflects our ongoing commitment to helping our customers and online merchants evaluate and improve the security of their online and physical sites in a timely and affordable manner. The end result we are striving for – improved overall channel security – is a win-win for all parties involved,” said Stephen Orfei, senior vice president and head of the MasterCard e-Commerce Center of Excellence.

The Scanning Vendor Approval Program requires a two-step process. The first step is to complete an online application form, which can be found at the SDP Web site. The application provides MasterCard with an overview of the applying organization, along with a detailed assertion by the security vendor that their solution is compliant with or exceeds the requirements set forth in the PCI Data Security Standard. After applying for compliance testing, the second step is for vendors to undergo a rigorous evaluation cycle that spans across a wide range of Web servers, firewalls, and operating systems – an environment controlled and managed by MasterCard.

About MasterCard SDP
The MasterCard Site Data Protection Program is a proactive, cost-effective, global solution offered by MasterCard through its acquiring members. The program provides acquiring customers with the ability to deploy security compliance programs, assisting online merchants and Member Service Providers to better protect against hacker intrusions and account data compromises. The program takes a proactive approach to security by identifying common possible vulnerabilities in a merchant web site and makes recommendations for short-and long-term security improvements. The solution addresses the security issues that online merchants and their acquiring banks face in the virtual world, and concerns arising from these issues, such as Internet fraud, chargebacks, brand image damage, consumer information safety and privacy and the cost of replacing stolen account numbers.

About BV Solutions Group
BV Solutions Group, Inc. (BVSG) is a global IT Service Provider that delivers rapid, fully integrated, front-end and technology intensive back-end business solutions. BVSG excels in developing disciplined processes for executing highly technical projects within scope, on time, and within budget. BVSG is wholly owned by Black & Veatch Corporation. Visit BVSG online at www.bvsg.com.

About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch Corporation is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, information and government markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients’ needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions include conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, information technology, environmental, security design and consulting, and management consulting services. The employee-owned company has more than 90 offices worldwide. Black & Veatch is ranked on the Forbes “500 Largest Private Companies in the United States” listing for 2004. The company’s Web site address is www.bv.com.

For more information, please contact:
Corrine Smith
VP Brand Management & Communications
(913) 458-3500
corrine@bv.com

Christina Rae
MasterCard International
(914) 249-4606
christina_rae@mastercard.com

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