What is PCI DSS compliance? Print

The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) was established by the major card brands including: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Financial Services, and JCB International. All business who process credit cards (merchants) are required to implement the PCI standards into their methods of processing to prevent credit card theft. There are 12 standards that are divided into six groups:


1.) Build and Maintain a Secure Network

Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

2.) Protect Cardholder Data

Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public network

3.) Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

4.) Implement Strong Access Control Measures

Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data

5.) Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes

6.) Maintain an Information Security Policy

Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security The steps you follow to validate PCI DSS compliance are based on the way you process your customers' credit cards. Validation is an annual process that may require quarterly reporting. SecurityMetrics' compliance consultants assist you in knowing which standards apply and how you should validate compliance.