Thanks to the Monetics physical connectivity service it is also possible to connect to the major international card processors such as Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Diners, Maestro and Cup, as well as the domestic Bancomat and PagoBancomat circuits.

SIA is the leading provider of network services able to supply, through its SIAnet network, a totally PCI-DSS compliant connectivity solution.

Unlike the purely physical network connections offered by the carriers, choosing SIAnet Monetics means freeing the Customer from the need to create or implement a network infrastructure totally compliant with the requirements of the PCI DSS.

Opting for the SIAnet configurations means greater flexibility in the optimization of IT resources, rapid adaptation to developments in the cards sector brought about by the new regulations and orientation towards the future.

The physical network connectivity service "Monetics" offers multiple advantages, namely:

• PCI DSS Certification
• high service quality with 99.99% SLAs
• Quality Of Service (QOS): the possibility to set aside a band for "Primary" traffic flows thus protecting them from network congestion.
• high performances: throughput and network delays are performance parameters of absolute quality in the SIAnet.NG network
• security: the security of communications is guaranteed by MPLS technology and by the most advanced cryptography solutions
• rapid and easy access
• network business continuity
• competitive pricing
• SIA' network management and control (NOC) for proactive identification of possible problems
• a single customer care point of contact active 24/365
• progress status of customers' requests thanks to the Trouble-Ticketing systems adopted.

Studies by major international financial analysts indicate that the global credit card market, characterized by strong growth indicators, is ever more heterogeneous and broad, both in terms of volumes and in terms of amounts exchanged.

The figures show that Eastern European countries, though still relatively small markets, have significant growth potential both in terms of increasing the number of cards in circulation and their use.
The situation in North-west Europe, in contrast, shows significant distribution of cards per citizen but still ample potential for growth in terms of use.
The United States and the UK are top of the chart both for number of cards per resident and for pro-capita use compared to the rest of Europe.

Within this scenario, Italy finds itself at the midway point, with average distribution and usage figures compared to the other European countries, but showing a trend that sees it moving closer to the leading European nations.

The number of transactions carried out using payment instruments other than cash is constantly on the rise. This increase is mainly due to the growth in POS transactions with debit cards in addition to credit transfers and other orders that now account for more than half the total of transactions.

Credit cards in circulation went up by 10.3% in the period 2007-08 , also thanks to significant social diversification of the card holders. The 8.2% increase in payment transactions made by credit/debit cards is due to the heterogeneous nature of the payment services available (payment of bills, internet, phone reloads, deposits, etc.) in order to meet the needs of individuals and families.

The figures also confirm the growth of co-branded cards that are based on an exclusive relationship with the subscribing store but still maintain ample scope for use guaranteed by the international circuits.

Revolving cards have seen a more modest increase compared to the significant distribution of prepaid cards, also due to greater awareness by users of their high costs as shown during the recent global financial crisis.

ATM cards (in Italy 'Bancomat') and credit cards guarantee simple payments also on Internet. However, precisely because of their flexibility, they have become one of the favorite targets for criminals. Fraud and identity theft with payment cards are on the rise, appear ever more sophisticated and are not limited only to cloning, but also concern alterations of POS terminals, tampering with ATMs and hacking of unprotected networks, often successful in eluding banks' surveillance systems.

The common objective is to prevent fraud through control instruments, preventive action and state-of-the-art IT security technology.

Many countries in the world have experienced the occurrence of IT piracy on computerized systems for the management of payments with credit/debit cards, with consequent theft of card holders' personal data then used for fraud, with the result of having discouraged cardholders from utilizing this payment instrument.

Maintaining the ease of use of electronic money has become a crucially important issue at international level for banks offering services based on payment cards as well as for the merchants accepting them and, naturally, for the clients themselves.

The use of security technology in payment transactions with credit/debit is indispensable and is necessary both for the protection of cardholders' personal data and for the payment process itself.

The most important circuits, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, Jbs and Discover have created the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). This is a series of general requirements and procedures in the payment cards system. Its purpose is to guarantee that the sensitive data of the cardholder are constantly protected.

The PCI DSS apply to all Acquirer banks, merchants accepting payment by credit or debit card and every Service Provider and Terminal Manager recording or transmitting data relating to payment cards and the transactions on them.

SIA is at the highest level among Service Providers and is periodically tested for the certification PCI Security Standards . SIA was in fact granted PCI DSS version 1.1 certification in April 2008. 
See section on "Procedures and guidelines", document " List of certified service providers ".

Quarterly, SIA undergoes a Vulnerability Scan (a procedure to detect possible areas of system vulnerability) in order to check that IT and network systems are adequately protected from external threats (such as IT piracy or viruses). The scanning devices check all the network devices, hosts and applications searching for well-known vulnerabilities.