What is PCI DSS Compliance?

PCI DSS compliance refers to adherence to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, a set of security requirements designed to ensure that all companies that process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. This global standard was established by major payment card brands to protect cardholder data throughout the transaction process.

The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) was launched on September 7, 2006, to manage the ongoing evolution of these security standards. The council was founded by five major payment card brands: American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide, and Visa, Inc.

While the PCI SSC develops and maintains the standards, it's important to note that the payment brands and acquirers—not the PCI Council itself—are responsible for enforcing compliance. This distinction clarifies the roles various entities play in the PCI DSS ecosystem.

The standard applies universally to entities handling cardholder data, regardless of size, transaction volume, or geographic location. It provides a framework of technical and operational requirements designed to protect account data throughout the payment lifecycle.

Key Components of PCI DSS

PCI DSS consists of six major categories encompassing 12 core requirements:

1. Building and maintaining a secure network and systems
2. Protecting cardholder data
3. Maintaining a vulnerability management program
4. Implementing strong access control measures
5. Regularly monitoring and testing networks
6. Maintaining an information security policy

These requirements form the foundation of PCI DSS compliance and help organizations develop robust information security systems specifically tailored to protect payment card data.