PCI Compliance

PCI compliance refers to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. The PCI DSS was developed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), a group of major payment card brands (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.) to protect against data breaches and protect the sensitive financial information of consumers.

Complying with the PCI DSS is mandatory for any organisation that accepts credit card payments. Non-compliance can result in fines, legal action, and damage to the organisation’s reputation.

To achieve PCI compliance, organisations must meet a set of requirements that fall into six categories:

  1. Build and maintain a secure network: This includes installing and maintaining firewalls, using secure protocols for transmitting sensitive data, and regularly testing and updating security systems.
  2. Protect cardholder data: This includes securely storing, processing, and transmitting credit card information, and protecting it against unauthorised access.
  3. Maintain a vulnerability management program: This involves regularly identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in the organisation’s systems and applications.
  4. Implement strong access control measures: This includes establishing and maintaining secure login procedures, restricting access to sensitive data, and regularly monitoring and reviewing access logs.
  5. Regularly monitor and test networks: This involves regularly testing and monitoring networks for vulnerabilities and suspicious activity, and implementing processes to ensure the security of sensitive data.
  6. Maintain an information security policy: This involves having a documented security policy that outlines the organisation’s approach to protecting sensitive data and ensuring PCI compliance.

By following these requirements, organisations can ensure that they are in compliance with the PCI DSS and protect the sensitive financial information of their customers. Regularly reviewing and updating their security measures can also help organisations stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain compliance over time.

Share this post:

Other posts you may be interested in

What is Cyber Security?

Cybersecurity is a specialist discipline that deals with protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. It is a rapidly evolving field that [...]
Read more

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is an international standard that outlines the requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). It provides a framework for organisations to follow in order to protect their [...]
Read more

What is Cyber Essentials Plus

Cyber Essentials Plus is a UK government-backed cybersecurity certification that helps organisations protect themselves and their customers against cyber threats. It is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and [...]
Read more

Book a free consultation
with a Cyber Safe expert

Are you looking for a platform that will reduce your risk of cyber attacks, and transform your approach to your data and system security?
Book a call with one of our expert cyber team and let us show you how we can protect your business, your clients, and your data.
Fill in the form below and one of the Cyber Safe experts will be in touch.
Contact
  • Newcastle office: 0191 249 3003
  • London office: 0203 793 9679