The first version of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS compliance) framework was released in 2004 by a group of major credit card companies from around the world, including Visa, Discover, MasterCard, JCB International, and American Express, to reassure credit card holders that their transactions are being completed end-to-end in a secure manner.
In 2006, the same businesses established the Payment Card Industry Security Standard Council (PCI SSC). Since then, PCI DSS compliance has been required for all credit card transactions processed by cloud-hosted payment companies worldwide
Now that PCI DSS compliance has been globally recognized as a well-established security standard, regarded as the best approach to safeguard sensitive information and build trustworthy customer relationships in the payments sector, industry personnel must understand the basics of this complex compliance framework.
That is why we, at Akitra, decided to curate a series to address the most frequently asked questions about PCI DSS certification. In this blog, we aim to provide you with factual information to help you better understand this complex compliance framework.
If you want to take a glance at the first part of this guide, you can do so by clicking right here: PCI-DSS.
Let’s continue.
What is the PCI-DSS Certification?
The required minimum security practices described in PCI DSS certification, which was created to serve as a foundation for control, should be implemented by every cloud-hosted organization that accepts credit card payments.
If you’re interested in learning more, please visit our blog, where we provide a concise rundown of the full PCI compliance checklist and outline its advantages.
Most Frequently-Asked Questions about PCI-DSS
- Does PCI-DSS apply to debit cards, debit systems, and the payments made with them?
The PCI compliance programs of a PCI SSC Participating Payment Brand may apply to any payment card (credit, debit, prepaid, stored value, gift, or chip) displaying that brand’s logo. For comprehensive payment card industry compliance, it is essential to follow the rules set by these brands.
Entities should contact payment brands directly for information on their compliance programs. Contact the relevant network for any inquiries on PCI DSS requirements related to different card types.
- How to define a “Participating Payment Brand” for the PCI-DSS standard?
A Participating Payment Brand is a payment brand that has been formally admitted as (or is an associate of) a member of PCI SSC. This is outlined under PCI DSS requirements and typically includes Strategic Members and Founding Members of PCI SSC.
- If my company doesn’t store credit card data, does PCI-DSS apply to us?
Yes, PCI DSS compliance still applies. As long as an organization accepts credit or debit cards, it is required to obtain PCI DSS certification. It may be easier to meet PCI DSS requirements if cardholder data is not stored; however, security obligations remain.
- Does an SSL certificate make my company PCI-DSS compliant?
No. SSL certificates alone do not satisfy PCI DSS requirements. While they establish secure communication between a user’s browser and a web server, they do not protect the server from malicious attacks. Achieving PCI DSS certification requires multiple layers of security and must adhere to the full PCI compliance checklist.
- How to define the term “Merchant” for the PCI-DSS standard?
A merchant is any organization that accepts payment via credit or debit cards bearing the logos of any of the five PCI SSC members — American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, or Visa — to purchase goods and/or services. Suppose the services sold result in the storage, processing, or transmission of cardholder data on behalf of other merchants or service providers. In that case, a merchant that takes payment cards as payment for products and/or services can also be a service provider. For instance, an ISP is both a service provider and a merchant if it hosts other merchants as clients and accepts credit cards for monthly billing.
Security, AI Risk Management, and Compliance with Akitra!
In the competitive landscape of SaaS businesses, trust is paramount amidst data breaches and privacy concerns. Akitra addresses this need with its leading AI-powered Compliance Automation platform. Our platform empowers customers to prevent sensitive data disclosure and mitigate risks, meeting the expectations of customers and partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of data security and compliance. Through automated evidence collection and continuous monitoring, paired with customizable policies, Akitra ensures organizations are compliance-ready for various frameworks such as SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 42001, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, NIST AI RMF, FedRAMP, CCPA, CMMC, SOX ITGC, and more such as CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark, Australian ISM and Essential Eight etc. In addition, companies can use Akitra’s Risk Management product for overall risk management using quantitative methodologies such as Factorial Analysis of Information Risks (FAIR) and qualitative methods, including NIST-based for your company, Vulnerability Assessment and Pen Testing services, Third Party Vendor Risk Management, Trust Center, and AI-based Automated Questionnaire Response product to streamline and expedite security questionnaire response processes, delivering huge cost savings. Our compliance and security experts provide customized guidance to navigate the end-to-end compliance process confidently. Last but not least, we have also developed a resource hub called Akitra Academy, which offers easy-to-learn short video courses on security, compliance, and related topics of immense significance for today’s fast-growing companies.
Our solution offers substantial time and cost savings, including discounted audit fees, enabling fast and cost-effective compliance certification. Customers achieve continuous compliance as they grow, becoming certified under multiple frameworks through a single automation platform.
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