As your business grows, you will eventually reach a point where you will need to start accepting credit card payments from your customers. This means that you will need to become PCI DSS compliant in order to protect your customers’ information and ensure that their transactions are safe.
What is PCI DSS?
PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. It is a set of standards that were created by the major credit card companies in order to protect consumers’ information and prevent fraud. All businesses that accept credit card payments are required to be PCI DSS compliant.
Why is PCI DSS compliance important?
PCI DSS compliance is important because it helps to ensure that your customers’ information is safe. If your business is not compliant, you could be held liable in the event of a data breach. Additionally, being PCI DSS compliant shows your customers that you are serious about protecting their information and takes steps to keep their transactions safe.
What are the requirements for PCI DSS compliance?
There are 12 requirements for PCI DSS compliance. They are:
- Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect data
- Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
- Protect stored data
- Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
- Use and regularly update anti-virus software
- Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
- Restrict access to 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
If you are not sure if your business is compliant, you can contact a PCI DSS assessor to help you determine what steps you need to take in order to become compliant.
What are the consequences of non-compliance?
If your business is found to be non-compliant, you could be subject to fines from the credit card companies, and you may also lose your ability to accept credit card payments. Additionally, your customers may lose faith in your ability to protect their information, which could lead to them taking their business elsewhere.
