Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. The PCI guidelines aim to decrease the risk of credit card fraud and data breaches by establishing a specific set of requirements for businesses to follow.
Who is required to be PCI compliant?
All entities that accept payment by credit card are required to comply with PCI DSS standards. This includes merchants, financial institutions, service providers, processors, and any other entity that comes into contact with sensitive cardholder data.
What are the requirements for PCI compliance?
The PCI requirements are divided into six categories as follows:
Category 1: Build and Maintain a Secure Network
This requires businesses to:
- Install and maintain secure firewalls.
- Not use vendor-supplied defaults for passwords and other security parameters.
- Ensure that all access to system components is limited based on business requirements.
Category 2: Protect Cardholder Data
This includes:
- Implementing strong encryption of cardholder data during transmission and storage.
- Masking data where it is necessary to protect sensitive cardholder information.
Category 3: Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program
Businesses must:
- Regularly update anti-virus software and all applications.
- Scan for vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
- Develop and maintain secure systems and applications.
Category 4: Implement Strong Access Control Measures
Businesses must:
- Restrict access to cardholder data based on business need-to-know.
- Assign a unique identification number to each person with computer access.
- Restrict physical access to cardholder data.
Category 5: Regularly Monitor and Test Networks
This requirement involves:
- Regular monitoring and testing of all networks and systems.
- Regular testing of security systems and processes.
- Maintaining audit logs.
Category 6: Maintain an Information Security Policy
This requires businesses to:
- Establish, publish, maintain, and disseminate a security policy.
- Inform all personnel of security guidelines.
- Regularly communicate changes in security policy to all employees, vendors, and stakeholders.
Why is PCI compliance important?
PCI compliance is important for the following reasons:
- To reduce the risk of credit card fraud and data breaches.
- To protect the personal and financial information of customers.
- To comply with legal and contractual obligations.
- To build customer trust and confidence in the business.
How can businesses achieve PCI compliance?
Businesses should take the following steps to achieve PCI compliance:
- Assess their current cardholder data environment to identify areas of non-compliance.
- Implement the necessary security controls to comply with the PCI standards.
- Monitor and test security controls to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Complete and submit appropriate compliance validation documentation to the relevant payment brand.
Failure to comply with PCI DSS can lead to fines, penalties, and legal action. It is vital for businesses to take the necessary steps to protect customer information and maintain PCI compliance.