from Ernst & Young LLP

As corporations aggressively move travel reservations online to reduce costs, many seek assurances that online systems meet standards for security, privacy and other important business practices. 
GetThere
has announced that it has received the WebTrust seal of assurance for its DirectCorporate online corporate travel system, from Ernst & Young LLP.  Ernst & Young performed an independent examination of GetThere’s policies and controls against the Trust Services Principles and Criteria for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and online privacy.

The Trust Services Principles and Criteria, including the WebTrust service, were developed jointly by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA).  They are designed to meet privacy guidelines and other critical online business practices set forth in the European Union, the United States, Canada and other regions. GetThere, which operates the online travel reservation system used by more than 800 companies, including more than half of the Fortune 200, is one of the first online businesses to receive the comprehensive WebTrust certification covering all Trust Services Principles and Criteria.

“When companies implement GetThere’s online travel system, they have confidence that it has delivered proven cost savings to many of the world’s leading companies,” said Keith Dale, vice president of global operations for GetThere.

“We have supported the industry’s most stringent guidelines for security, privacy and operations.  The WebTrust Program provides an important standard to the marketplace in these crucial areas.  The independent verification by Ernst & Young of our practices against the WebTrust Program gives added assurance to corporations that use our solutions,” Dale said.

“Travel has been one of the most active areas of e-commerce, with millions of bookings processed through GetThere’s system alone.  GetThere has been the driver of online corporate travel, and this WebTrust certification sends a strong message of confidence to corporations that use online travel technology.  It is a mark that all corporations should demand,” said Rand Hammond, technology and security risk services partner at Ernst & Young.

“The standards of the WebTrust Program set the bar high for organisations wanting to demonstrate to their customers and business partners that they are reliable and trustworthy.  GetThere has received a WebTrust seal covering all five Trust Services Principles and Criteria, demonstrating its commitment to adhering to standards of best practice across a broad spectrum of business operations,” said Louis Matherne, CPA, director of business assurance and advisory services at the AICPA.

Related stories on ITN:

(11/03/2003) GetThere Delivers Dynamic Fare Integration Solution

(26/02/2003) GetThere Outlines ‘3Cs’ of Self-Booking Adoption Success

(08/01/2003) GlobalStar Deploys GetThere Booking Technology

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