PCI DSS

Achieving PCI DSS compliance is critical for reducing the risk of data breaches, but the requirements can feel overwhelming especially for larger organizations. To ensure businesses meet all security standards set by the PCI Security Standards Council, many turn to a PCI QSA (Qualified Security Assessor). A PCI QSA is certified to evaluate security controls, identify gaps, and guide organizations through the compliance process with accuracy and efficiency.

The financial and reputational impact of a credit card data breach can be devastating. In 2017, the average cost of a breach reached $3.62 million, with over five million records stolen every day. To protect your business from becoming part of these costly statistics, it’s essential to understand where the risks lie.

In this article, we’ll explore how credit card data breaches occur and outline practical steps your company can take to strengthen defenses and prevent them.

In the world of financial transactions, the acronym PCI is the most common term used and refers to the Payment Card Industry. (The longer version is PCI DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.) The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) was created in 2006.

Its goal as a global entity is to help improve the security for every aspect of the financial transaction process. In the past the object for security concerns were mainframe computers that could fill a room. Technology has evolved from those huge mainframes to personal computers, to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

The ways hackers threaten an entity’s data have changed as well; but of course, the need for protecting that data has remained unchanged. Keep reading to learn more about the PCI security council and avoiding a credit card data breach.

If your organization was subject to PA-DSS compliance in years past, you may need to achieve PCI Secure SLC certification as soon as possible. The most efficient path begins with scoping before in-depth implementation and assessment—all of which an advisor can optimize further.

If your organization is working toward PCI certification, a PCI vulnerability scan is an essential step. These scans must be performed by a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) to meet specific PCI DSS requirements. While ASVs are officially required for external vulnerability testing, trusted providers can also help strengthen your overall compliance program by offering tools and guidance across every stage of implementation.

The PCI DSS 4.0 Summary of Changes is a valuable guide for organizations beginning their compliance journey. It highlights the key updates from version 3.2.1 to PCI DSS 4.0, helping businesses understand what’s new, why it matters, and how to align their security programs with the latest requirements. Key takeaways include:

In PCI DSS 4.0, roles and responsibilities play a central role in ensuring compliance, especially under the new Customized Approach. Organizations using this flexible method must clearly define and implement their responsibilities before assessors can issue formal compliance reports.

To successfully implement the PCI DSS 4.0 customized approach, organizations should follow three key steps. This flexible method allows businesses to meet security objectives using alternative controls while maintaining full compliance with PCI DSS 4.0 requirements. The essential steps include:

1. Identify which requirements and controls can be met using alternative methods.

2. Implement strong cyber-defense mechanisms to protect the cardholder data environment (CDE).

3. Collaborate with a qualified PCI DSS assessor to validate and document customized controls for compliance.