The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (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 standard was created to protect cardholder data and to reduce the risk of data breaches and fraud.
PCI DSS is a collaborative effort between major credit card companies, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB. The standard consists of a set of requirements that organizations must follow to secure payment card data. These requirements cover various aspects of information security, including network security, access control, data encryption, regular monitoring, and security policy maintenance.
The PCI DSS is organized into twelve high-level requirements, each containing numerous sub-requirements. Some of the key requirements include:
- Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data.
- Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters.
- Protect stored cardholder data.
- Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks.
- Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs.
- Develop and maintain secure systems and applications.
- Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know.
- Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access.
- Restrict physical access to cardholder data.
- Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data.
- Regularly test security systems and processes.
- Maintain a policy that addresses information security.
Organizations that handle credit card transactions are required to undergo regular assessments and audits to demonstrate compliance with PCI DSS. Non-compliance may result in fines, increased transaction fees, or even the suspension of the ability to process credit card transactions.
It’s important for businesses to stay informed about the current version of PCI DSS and implement the necessary security measures to protect cardholder data and maintain compliance with the standard.