The PCI Data Security Standard was developed by the major credit card companies as a standard for evaluating the security processes of companies processing credit card transactions, to protect the industry in general against fraud, hacking and other threats. It includes the standards put forth by Visa's Cardholder Information Security Program and MasterCard's Site Data Protection program.

SoftLayer says the McAfee PCI scanning service it will provide customers for free normally retails for $319 per year, and will help customers ensure they meet the standards of the PCI DSS version 1.1.

The company has a page on its website describing the partnership with McAfee. The page says, among other things, that the partnership will also give SoftLayer customers access to "McAfee Secure" certification, which involves a daily scan.

According to the press release, the PCI security package includes: scheduled quarterly and unlimited manual scans; Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) vulnerability remediation support; assistance with self-assessment questionnaire; assistance with preparing a PCI security policy; telephone technical support; and direct submissions of compliance reports to banks.

After completing the audit, the McAfee service prepares a "report of compliance" designed to be accepted by credit card companies and banks worldwide, says SoftLayer.

"Security on the Internet has always been one of the greatest challenges to conducting commerce," says SoftLayer chief technology officer Nathan Day, quoted in the press release. "This solution will allow all SoftLayer customers to increase the safety and trust in their on-line stores and businesses."

Last week, SoftLayer added to another segment of its services, updating its CDNLayer content delivery service with a range of new administrative and delivery features.