What is PCI Compliance?

Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance is a set of security standards that organizations are required to follow when accepting, processing or storing credit card data. These standards were developed in 2004 by the major card brands, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, with the goal of reducing credit card fraud and protecting sensitive payment card data.

Prior to the development of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), each payment card brand had its own security standards, which made compliance difficult and inconsistent for merchants. The creation of a single set of standards ensured that all businesses accepting credit cards would adhere to the same security protocols, making it easier to secure sensitive card data and prevent fraud.

Today, PCI compliance has become the global standard for payment data security and is enforced by the card brands themselves.

What are the PCI Compliance standards?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) consist of twelve fundamental requirements that businesses must comply with to ensure the security of payment card data.

It is important to note that these standards are subject to updates and revisions, and it is recommended to regularly check for any changes.

The twelve PCI DSS standards are:

• 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.

The standards for PCI compliance can be hard to keep up with. Fortunately, to aid businesses in evaluating and confirming their compliance, the self assessment questionnaire (SAQ) was created.

What is the PCI Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)?

The SAQ is a series of yes-or-no questions that are intended to evaluate a business’s compliance with PCI DSS. The questionnaire is designed to help businesses identify any areas where they may be falling short of the requirements, so that they can take the appropriate measures to improve their security and protect their customers’ payment data.

The SAQ is divided into different versions, depending on the type of business and the methods used to process credit card transactions. By completing the appropriate SAQ and taking any necessary corrective actions, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to data security and meet the requirements of PCI DSS.

For certain businesses, filling out the SAQ and addressing any security issues that come up may be enough to meet their PCI compliance obligations. However, other businesses may need to take additional steps based on their PCI Compliance Level. This level is determined by the number of transactions they process annually, and can require more rigorous compliance measures.

What are the PCI compliance Levels?

PCI compliance levels refer to the four different categories of businesses that accept credit or debit card payments. The level of compliance required for a business will depend on the number of credit card transactions it processes each year. Level 1 businesses are required to have an annual on-site assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) and to pass regular vulnerability scans, while Level 2-4 businesses may be able to self-assess and may only be required to pass quarterly vulnerability scans.

• Level 1: Any business that processes over 6 million transactions per year.
• Level 2: Any business that processes between 1 and 6 million transactions per year.
• Level 3: Any business that processes between 20,000 and 1 million transactions per year.
• Level 4: Any business that processes less than 20,000 transactions per year.

Need further clarification or have questions regarding the PCI Compliance levels? Contact us.

How do I become PCI Compliant?

How a business becomes PCI compliant is highly dependent on their PCI Compliance Level. Becoming compliant can be complex and time-consuming process for large businesses with high transactions counts, while smaller businesses may find the process easier to navigate. The following steps provide an overview of the process to become PCI compliant:

1. Understand your compliance level: The first step is to determine which level of compliance applies to your business based on the annual number of credit card transactions you process. This will help you understand the specific requirements that apply to your business.
2. Conduct a self-assessment or hire a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA): Level 2 to 4 businesses may be able to conduct a self-assessment using the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) provided by the PCI Security Standards Council. However, Level 1 businesses are required to have an annual on-site assessment by a QSA.
3. Implement security measures: Once you have a clear understanding of the requirements, you can begin implementing the necessary security measures. This may include installing firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, as well as implementing access controls, monitoring, and regular testing of your security systems.
4. Maintain documentation and records: It is important to maintain accurate documentation and records of your compliance efforts, including any assessments, vulnerabilities identified, and the steps taken to address them.
5. Regularly update and review policies and procedures: PCI compliance is an ongoing process, and it is essential to regularly update and review your policies and procedures related to information security to ensure they remain effective.
6. Train employees: All employees should be trained on information security best practices and procedures to help ensure they understand their role in protecting cardholder data.
7. Regularly Monitor and assess: Regularly monitoring and assessing the security measures put in place is important to ensure they are operating effectively and that any vulnerabilities are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

Are you seeking guidance or support to achieve PCI compliance? We’re here to help. Contact us.

Conclusion

We understand that navigating the world of PCI compliance can feel overwhelming at times, but please know that you’re not alone. Ameta is here to support you every step of the way. Ensuring that your business is compliant with the PCI DSS standards is a crucial step in safeguarding sensitive cardholder data and preventing credit card fraud. It’s about protecting your business, but also about protecting your customers data and upholding your good reputation. If you need assistance with becoming PCI compliant, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.

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