MECHANICSBURG, PA – October 15, 2025 – Appalachia Technologies, a leading Pennsylvania-based cybersecurity and IT solutions firm, today announced it has been certified by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) as a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA). This prestigious certification authorizes Appalachia Technologies to perform PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) assessments for businesses that handle payment card information.

This achievement places Appalachia Technologies in an elite group of certified firms globally. As one of the very few company currently holding this qualification headquartered in Pennsylvania, Appalachia Technologies is uniquely positioned to provide local, hands-on expertise to organizations across the Commonwealth and the wider Mid-Atlantic region, helping them secure their payment environments and protect their customers from data breaches.

"Becoming a QSA Company was the logical next step in our evolution. Since PCI DSS's inception, we've guided organizations through complex compliance landscapes spanning multiple frameworks and regulations,” said Brian Stone, Partner at Appalachia Technologies.  “Our QSA designation now positions us to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end PCI compliance services from assessment through official certification and ROC issuance. For our clients, this means a streamlined compliance journey with a single, trusted advisor who understands both the technical requirements and the broader business context."

The PCI DSS is a global standard mandated by the major card brands for all organizations that store, process, or transmit cardholder data. A QSA company is an independent security organization that has been qualified by the PCI SSC to validate an entity's adherence to the PCI DSS. Achieving compliance and receiving a Report on Compliance (ROC) from a QSA is a critical requirement for many businesses to maintain their payment card processing relationships.

With the recent release of PCI DSS v4.0, the compliance landscape is becoming more complex. Appalachia Technologies’ new QSA practice is fully equipped to help businesses navigate this transition, offering services that include:

• Assess and Validate the Card Data Environment (CDE) Scope
• PCI DSS Readiness Assessment and Gap Analysis
• Formal Report on Compliance (ROC) Audit
• Customized Approach Validation and Targeted Risk Analysis Guidance
• Remediation Support and Strategic Consulting

"This accomplishment is a testament to the remarkable talent and drive of our team. It truly embodies our core value of 'We Improve and Evolve,' demonstrating that continuous improvement is the engine of our growth,” said Mike Williams, President of Appalachia Technologies.  “Our team embraced an intensive training path, a testament to their dedication to delivering unparalleled expertise. This is more than a new certification for us; it’s a catalyst for growth, and I am profoundly excited to see how this team's expertise will shape the future of Appalachia."

Appalachia Technologies is now accepting inquiries for PCI-QSA engagements.

About Appalachia Technologies, LLC Appalachia Technologies is a leading Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. For over a decade, Appalachia has been providing a comprehensive suite of proactive IT and cybersecurity solutions to businesses of all sizes. The company’s mission is to empower organizations by managing their technology and securing their most critical assets, allowing them to focus on their core business goals.

Media Contact: Ashley Louden, Marketing Manager at Appalachia Technologies; 888-277-8320; Ashley.Louden@appalachiatech.com; www.appalachiatech.com

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