Payment card industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance is mandated by credit card companies to ensure the security of credit card transactions in the payments industry. Compliance refers to the technical and operational standards that businesses are required 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. They have outlined 12 PCI DSS Requirements that businesses must follow for achieving compliance. The 12 PCI DSS compliance Requirements focuses on the protection of cardholder data and includes-
- 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 for all personnel
Organizations that fulfill these requirements will most likely attain PCI DSS Compliance. Organizations will have to assess their environment, define scope, identify gaps against compliance requirements, implement necessary security measures and pass the Compliance audit to attain PCI DSS Compliance. However, since the process is not easy, organizations are required to consult a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) certified and listed by the PCI Council for guidance to attain compliance.
