PCI Compliance Deadline Approaching Fast - July 1, 2010

PCI-DSS Compliance Resource Center - Virgina, DC, Maryland

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of twelve requirements that ensure that companies that deal with credit cards (if you process, store or transmit credit cards) maintain a secure environment.  Essentially any business that has a Merchant ID should be PCI Compliant.

The PCI DSS is administered and managed by the PCI SSC, an independent body that was created by the major payment card brands (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB.). The payment brands are responsible for enforcing compliance.

The twelve requirements of PCI-DSS compliance are outlined below:

Build and Maintain a Secure Network

Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

Protect Cardholder Data

Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks

Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes

Maintain an Information Security Policy

Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security

Contact us for more details on these requirements at 540-785-0268, or to discuss any PCI-DSS Compliance questions or concerns you have about your current credit card handling process.

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Download PCI-DSS FAQ and
PCI Guide for Dummies

Review the PCI-DSS FAQ

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PCI Compliance for Dummies