PCI DSS

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is required by the contract for those handling cardholder data, whether you are a start-up or a global enterprise. Your business must always be compliant, and your compliance must be validated annually. It is generally mandated by credit card companies and discussed in credit card network agreements. The PCI Standards Council (SSC) is responsible for the development of the standards for PCI compliance. Its purpose is to help secure and protect the entire payment card ecosystem. These standards apply for merchants, service providers processing credit/debit card payment transactions.

Payment card industry (PCI) compliance is mandated by credit card companies to help ensure the security of credit card transactions in the payments industry. Payment card industry compliance refers to the technical and operational standards that businesses follow to secure and protect credit card data provided by cardholders and transmitted through card processing transactions. PCI standards for compliance are developed and managed by the PCI Security Standards Council.

THE 12 REQUIREMENTS OF PCI DSS

1. Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
2. Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
3. Protect stored cardholder data
4. Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
5. Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs
6. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
7. Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know
8. Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data
10. Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
11. Regularly test security systems and processes
12. Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel