Data protection vendor Protegrity is taking aim at the UK channel ahead of an expected boom in spend related to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

The US-based vendor has appointed Ian Schenkel to the new post of EMEA vice president. He has been tasked with launching a formal partner programme and building out an infrastructure in the region.

Schenkel claimed that last week’s deadline for compliance with section 6.6 of PCI DSS ­ relating to web application firewalls ­ would take PCI-related spend to a whole new level. “2009 should see growth in our area, not just for us, but for our competitors. That is why we are expanding our operations,” he said.

Schenkel said his first priority was to create a formal, tiered partner programme, for which he aims to recruit six PCI-focused partners in each major European country.

Protegrity’s software suite, which features database encryption, file encryption and web application firewall capabilities, is designed to help customers to comply with PCI DSS requirements.

Schenkel said Protegrity rubs shoulders with the likes of Ingrian Networks, but stressed its software suite carries out several functions. “One of the reasons organisations choose us is because of the scalability of our technology, but also its ability to manage those tasks,” he said.

Jonathan Lassman, managing director of security reseller Network Technology Solutions, said: “The problem we have found with PCI is that everybody who wanted to become compliant has already acted. Ingrian has already sold to nearly all the major retailers.