FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mako Networks and Skyzer Technologies Partner to Provide Protection
New distribution agreement secures payment networks, aids in compliance

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – 29 June 2011 – Mako Networks, a cloud-based network management and security company specialising in solutions for small businesses, and Skyzer Technologies, a leading distributor of Point of Sale (POS) technology products, have signed a new distribution agreement to help protect New Zealand merchants from the growing threat of payment card fraud.

Mako and Skyzer bring together a unique focus on the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a stringent set of security criteria that must be met by any business that processes, stores or transmits credit card data. Each year, merchants must certify that their payment systems have a baseline of security in place, and both Skyzer and Mako have built reputations for expertise and products that help businesses navigate the rigours of PCI DSS compliance.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity Mako presents for us and the industry as a whole,” says Steve Marson, General Manager of Skyzer Technologies. “With the addition of the Mako Networks product suite to our portfolio, we can add value to our resellers by ensuring the entire POS network conforms to PCI DSS. Mako offers a truly unique system that now enables us to offer added security and peace of mind for payment terminals and POS networks.”

While many POS systems boast certification under the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA DSS), this accreditation covers only the terminal handset and software system, rather than the network. Indeed, merchants commonly purchase PA DSS-compliant systems, only to later fail compliance checks. Achieving PCI DSS compliance mandates that the entire payment environment, from the point data enters the system, to transmission to an acquiring bank, must be continually protected and checked against the threat of intrusion.

“Network and payment card security is incredibly important for New Zealand, as so much of our economy is comprised of small businesses in dire need of protection from fraud and network attacks,” says Matt Atkinson, Account Manager, Mako Networks. “Recent studies have shown that payment card fraud levels among SMBs are on the rise, and Skyzer will be a great partner for us. Their reseller base in the Point of Sale market is unparalleled, and we’re keen to start work with them to lock down and protect SMB payment systems.”

The agreement goes into effect immediately, and Mako products can now be purchased from any of Skyzer’s reseller partners in New Zealand.

About Skyzer Technologies
Skyzer Technologies is a leading Point of Sale (POS) technology products distributor for the New Zealand market that specialises in secure payments solutions. Distributing the Ingenico range of EFTPOS hardware, the world’s number one, Skyzer's payment systems enable commerce in a wide range of industries – from nationwide fashion retailers, fast food chains and supermarket giants, to taxi fleets, cafes and tradespeople.
Skyzer now also distributes the Toshiba TEC range of POS products, including standalone PCs, panel PCs, cash drawers and receipt printers. Operating through a strong dealer network across New Zealand, Skyzer Technologies is the country's fastest-growing distributor of Payments, POS and AutoID technology.

About Mako Networks
Mako Networks is a cloud-based network management and security company that provides services and managed appliances to connect businesses to the Internet and protect them from the threats it contains. Mako Networks helps businesses comply with the stringent Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) for merchants that process, transmit or store cardholder data. The company is the world’s only PCI DSS-certified network management company, exporting to markets in the UK, Middle East and Australia.

ENDS

BUDGET 2012:
Parliament Debate Live - Video Of Budget 2011
Keith Ng Interactive Graphic: How the Budget Breaks Down
BUDGET 2012 - FULL COVERAGE: Reports / Analysis - Press Kit - Reaction (from everybody) - Previews (from everybody) - Pre-Budget Announcements

Gordon Campbell: On the Budget’s Spreadsheet Victories

It wasn’t as if expectations were sky high, exactly. Chances are, it was always more likely that we’d be seeing Bigfoot rampage through the Beehive lock-up than catch a glimpse of a credible growth agenda from this government. More >>

Sludge Budget Report - Short The Dollar! MEMO: To international bankers FROM: C.D. Sludge Please short the dollar! It'll be good for both you and us. And you know you want to. Greexit, Eurogeddon... watch out... flight to quality and all that. Follow your instincts. The NZ Debt Management Office has been so surprised at the unprecedentedly low interest rates that it can borrow at that it has already entirely pre-funded the 2013 fiscal deficit - all $8 billion of it! More >>

Pattrick Smellie Comment: Doddling along the best we can hope forCriticising Budgets for lacking vision or imagination is like shooting fish in a barrel, but even so, this year's Budget again feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps it's the intrusion of real world needs that means the government couldn't make better political use of the $558.8 million it expects to gather in its first partial asset sale. More >>