Who Needs to Comply with PCI DSS?

PCI DSS applies to all entities that process, store, or transmit cardholder data. This includes merchants, service providers, financial institutions, and any organization that handles payment card information, regardless of size or transaction volume.

Merchant Compliance Requirements

All merchants that accept payment cards must comply with PCI DSS. However, the specific validation requirements vary based on the merchant's transaction volume and processing methods. The PCI Standard applies to merchants with Merchant ID (MID) who process transactions from any of the major card brands: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB.

Even small merchants with limited transaction volumes must comply with PCI DSS. The misconception that small businesses are exempt from compliance requirements can lead to security vulnerabilities and potential penalties.

For home-based businesses, despite potentially processing fewer transactions, PCI DSS compliance remains mandatory. The risk of data breaches exists regardless of business size or location.

Service Provider Compliance

Service providers that could impact the security of payment account data must also comply with PCI DSS, even if they don't directly store, process, or transmit payment data. The scope of assessment for these providers includes all people, processes, and technology involved in providing their services.

Organizations using third-party service providers remain responsible for ensuring PCI DSS compliance. While service providers can help facilitate compliance, the ultimate responsibility remains with the merchant.