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Complying with PCI DSS

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) was founded in 2006 by the major card schemes – including Mastercard, Visa, and American Express. The council established the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to help protect the integrity and security of cardholder data by:

  • Reducing the likelihood of a security breach
  • Protecting your business against potential loss of revenue
  • Avoiding penalties for non-compliance
  • Potentially increasing sales due to increased consumer confidence
  • Reducing the risk of unwanted media attention as a result of a compromise

Data compromises are on the increase

Worldwide, account data compromises are increasing, so it's essential to comply with the standards to protect your customers and your business. There are significant fines associated with data compromise and not validating PCI DSS compliance.

Find out more about data compromise and non-compliance.

Our step-by-step guide to compliance

While compliance with PCI DSS is mandatory for all merchants, only some are required to validate their compliance with BNZ. To make compliance easier, we have produced a step-by-step guide to achieving PCI DSS compliance. See the guide.

The requirements of PCI DSS

Goals PCI DSS Requirements
Build and maintain a secure network 1.  Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
2.  Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
Protect cardholder data 3.  Protect stored cardholder data
4.  Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
Maintain a vulnerability management program 5.  Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs
6.  Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Implement strong access control measures 7.  Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know
8.  Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
9.  Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Regularly monitor and test networks 10.Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
11. Regularly test security systems and processes
Maintain an Information Security policy 12. Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel

Disclaimer: PCI DSS defines a minimum data security standard to help secure sensitive cardholder data. BNZ, the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council and the Card Schemes do not guarantee that these standards will prevent security breaches or losses.