What is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is an international security standard that was developed to ensure the security of payment card information (e.g., credit and debit card numbers) that is stored, processed, or transmitted by businesses that accept these payment cards. It is designed to protect both the businesses and their customers by providing a baseline of requirements that businesses must meet to protect their customers’ payment card information. In California, businesses that accept payment cards (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express) must adhere to the PCI DSS. This standard is also enforced by financial institutions that issue payment cards and payment card networks (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express). The PCI DSS contains twelve major requirements that businesses must meet: maintain a secure network, protect data, use encryption, maintain security systems and malware protection, establish strong access control measures, regularly monitor and test networks, maintain a secure application and systems development process, restrict physical access to cardholder data, track and manage data access, assign a unique ID to each person with access, create access management policies and procedures, and regularly review information security policies. Businesses that fail to comply with the PCI DSS can be fined and/or have their agreements terminated if they are found to be in violation of the standard. In addition, they may also face legal action and reputational damage if their customers’ data is compromised. Therefore, it is important that businesses that accept payment cards follow the PCI DSS to ensure their customers’ payment data is secure.

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What is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard?

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