PCI Compliance

PCI Compliance

When a business meets the standards of the payment card industry (PCI), they are considered PCI compliant. 

PCI standards are enforced by credit card companies. Any business that deals with credit card data must abide by these standards.

Payment Card Industry Standards

PCI stands for Payment Card Industry.

PCI standards are created by credit card companies to ensure that any business that processes or stores credit card data is safe and secure.

A business is considered to be PCI compliant when they meet all the technical and operational standards set by the PCI Security Standards Council.

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards

PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. These are the full standards that must be met to be PCI Compliant.

PCI DSS includes twelve key requirements. The twelve key requirements are best practices for keeping data secure. 

They include: 

• Implementing firewalls
• Password protection standards
• Cardholder data protection
• Cardholder data encryption
• Making use of antivirus software
• Frequent software and security system updates 
• Ensure cardholder data access is restricted
• Assign unique IDs to those with access to data
• In-person access to data is limited
• Access logs are maintained and reviewed
• Security systems are regularly tested
• Security policy is documented and referred to

In addition to the twelve keys, there are also 78 base requirements and 400 test procedures.

It has been found that companies that are PCI compliant have fewer instances of hacking and data breaches, and are more secure. 

PCI Compliant Merchant Accounts

When it comes to businesses selecting merchant accounts, it is very important to select one that is PCI compliant. This ensures the company is using all the best practices to secure customers’ sensitive financial data. 

Companies that are not PCI compliant face fines and other penalties as well as risk security breaches and a loss of reputation in the eyes of their customers.