Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard definition
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of rules created by major credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard to keep credit card information safe. Businesses that accept credit card payments need to follow these rules to protect customers' card details from theft and fraud.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard history
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was created in 2004 by major credit card companies like Visa to improve the security of card transactions. Managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, it aims to protect cardholder data from theft and fraud. With the constantly developing threat landscape, the standard continues to evolve and adapt to address new threats.
How is the PCI DSS used?
- Compliance requirements — PCI DSS lays out guidelines that businesses have to follow to be compliant. These include using security measures like encryption and access controls.
- Regular assessments — Companies conduct regular self-assessments or hire external auditors to check how compliant they are with the standard.
- Security measures — They implement specific security measures like installing firewalls, using secure passwords, and regularly monitoring and testing their networks.
- Protecting cardholder data — The standard ensures that the cardholder’s sensitive information is stored securely and transmitted safely when transactions are being done.
