PCI DSS certification is an audited assurance of adherence to the PCI DSS standard that aims to protect sensitive cardholder information. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requires companies that collect, store, or transmit credit card data to maintain a secure environment and minimize fraud and breaches.
PCI certification is achieved once you meet the PCI requirements established by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), which comprises six major payment brands: American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, and Visa Inc. The 12 major requirements include installing firewalls, encrypting data, and more.
PCI DSS certification is required to protect sensitive cardholder and authentication data, whether stored, transmitted, or processed. This applies whether you are a global enterprise or a start-up.
Your business must always be compliant, and if you accept credit card brands like American Express, JCB International, VISA, and more, you should validate your compliance annually.
PCI DSS compliance burden applies to all companies that collect, process, and transmit credit card data. If you accept or process credit card payments as a service provider, you must comply with PCI DSS requirements based on the security policy.
PCI DSS provides a baseline security for the burden of customer data you hold. But apart from that, here are some of the benefits you’ll receive directly or indirectly when you become PCI-compliant.