PCI Compliance Guide: Protect Payment Data & Prevent Fraud

JSCAPE supports PGP encryption, an encryption technology that secures data at rest. You can set it up so that files are automatically encrypted as soon as they’re uploaded to your MFT environment. In addition, JSCAPE also supports AWS server-side encryption through either AES-256 S3 encryption or KMS S3 encryption.

3-D Secure (3DS) is an additional layer of security for online credit and debit card transactions. It aims to improve an additional layer of cardholder authentication to reduce the likelihood of fraud in online payments. If cardholder data is leaked, PCI regulators can impose fines and even forbid you from accepting payments or using your card payment systems. You also may face significant financial losses due to data breaches — costs related to data recovery, legal penalties, and compensation to affected parties.

What is PCI compliance?

PCI DSS dictates a baseline of technical and operational requirements designed to protect payment account data. PCI DSS includes 12 major requirements that your organization can use as a roadmap to compliance. Card issuing application programming interfaces (APIs) can help enhance the efficiency, security and overall management of corporate credit card programs. When merchants sign a contract with a payment processor, they agree to be subject to fines if they fail to maintain PCI DSS compliance.

  • Users, including privileged users (e.g., server administrators) must be granted access based on their job classification and function.
  • This includes documenting user access, roles, and privilege levels, as well as using video cameras and electronic access control mechanisms to monitor physical access to cardholder data systems.
  • The policy must be documented, regularly reviewed, and updated to reflect changes in technology and business processes.
  • The investment in PCI security procedures goes a long way toward ensuring that other aspects of your commerce are safe from malicious online actors.

PCI DSS requires regular updates of antivirus software and timely correction of security vulnerabilities. Companies must actively protect their systems against viruses and other malicious threats. Generally, the criteria applied will be based on those set by Visa and Mastercard, the predominant payment card brands. Antivirus software capable of detecting, removing and protecting against all known malware types (e.g. viruses, worms and Trojans) must be used on all systems commonly affected by malware, to protect them from threats. For systems not commonly affected by malware, evolving malware threats should be periodically evaluated to determine if antivirus software is needed. Examples of open, public networks include the Internet, wireless technologies (e.g. Bluetooth), GPRS (general packet radio service) and satellite communications.

PCI-compliant security provides a valuable asset that informs customers that your business is safe to transact with. Conversely, the cost of noncompliance, both in monetary and reputational terms, should be enough to convince any business owner to take data security seriously. Merchants may also choose to pay a third-party vendor to conduct a PCI DSS assessment. While some organizations pay for ROCs voluntarily, others may be required to acquire one if they have suffered a breach or some other security violation. And large companies that qualify as PCI DSS level 1 are required to get an ROC on a regular basis.

  • Additionally, we’ll discuss the different levels of PCI DSS compliance, helping organizations understand the specific requirements they must meet.
  • In addition, businesses that adhere to PCI DSS are better positioned to defend against legal actions and regulatory penalties related to inadequate data security.
  • A PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire must be finished as part of your yearly compliance procedures.

Easy Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) compliance through secure protocols

Organizations must develop and maintain a clear information security policy, which must be effectively communicated to all personnel involved with handling payment card data. Organisations should establish a process to identify security vulnerabilities and rank them according to their level of risk. Relevant security patches should be installed within a month of their release to protect against cardholder data compromise.

Level 3: Businesses with 20,000 to 1 Million E-Commerce Transactions Annually

Protecting cardholder data begins with establishing a secure network infrastructure. This includes using firewalls to control and monitor traffic between networks and to restrict unauthorized access. Establishing vulnerability management best practices is also critical for ensuring that systems are patched and up to date. They offered a safer and more convenient alternative to cash, making payments easier and more accessible.

How JSCAPE helps you achieve PCI DSS compliance

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) first established in 2005 and now in its 4.0 version, serves as an industry baseline guide to ensure that businesses handle Cardholder Data with utmost security. Are financial penalties, reputational damage, and legal liability consequences of non-compliance? Here’s an in-depth look at this standard and how it fits pci dss stand for into your company’s cyber security strategy. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is an essential framework that any organization handling payment card data should follow to protect sensitive data. PCI DSS provides a comprehensive set of operational and technical requirements for safeguarding payment account data.

Accurate validation of compliance is essential for maintaining PCI DSS standards. Therefore, businesses must ensure they understand the requirements and complete the correct SAQ for their level. Coordinating with service providers or using specific reporting tools helps businesses determine their PCI compliance levels and validate their compliance effectively. PCI DSS covers the protection of cardholder data, maintaining a secure network and systems, implementing strong access control measures, and regularly monitoring and testing networks for vulnerabilities. Effective surveillance helps organizations monitor sensitive areas where payment card data might be stored or processed.

Steps for Achieving PCI DSS Compliance

Compliance requirements vary based on an organization’s annual transaction volume and the specific activities it performs. However, all businesses that handle cardholder data must adhere to the core principles of PCI DSS to ensure the security of payment card information. According to a report by The Ascent, credit card fraud remained the most common type of identity theft in 2023. In today’s digital age, where online transactions have become an integral part of our daily lives, the security of payment card information is essential.

Regularly updating security software is essential for detecting and mitigating vulnerabilities against evolving malware threats. According to PCI DSS Requirement 5, businesses must use and regularly update anti-virus software to protect against known malware. This includes implementing anti-virus solutions on workstations, laptops, and mobile devices to ensure comprehensive protection. A data breach that reveals sensitive customer information is likely to have severe repercussions on an enterprise. A breach may result in fines from payment card issuers, lawsuits, diminished sales and a severely damaged reputation.

The PCI Security Standards Council brings together payments industry stakeholders to develop, update, and drive adoption of data security standards worldwide. Major credit card companies, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB International, established this important framework. These card brands developed uniform rules for protecting payment card information.

Hence, you benefit from increased customer loyalty and a stronger brand reputation. To obtain PCI Certification, businesses must undergo a thorough assessment process that evaluates their compliance with the 12 PCI DSS requirements. This assessment is typically conducted by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), a specialized auditor authorized by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). Even if you outsource transactions, you’re still responsible for protecting the cardholder data you touch.

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