What are the key requirements of the PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security?

Answer 1

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is a set of security standards established by major credit card companies to protect cardholder data. The PCI-DSS applies to all organizations that accept, process, store, or transmit cardholder data. The key requirements of the PCI-DSS include:

Build and maintain a secure network: Install and maintain a firewall to protect cardholder data, and do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords or other security parameters.

Protect cardholder data: Encrypt cardholder data when it is transmitted over open, public networks, and store cardholder data securely with appropriate access controls in place.

Maintain a vulnerability management program: Use and regularly update anti-virus software, and develop and maintain secure systems and applications.

Implement strong access control measures: Restrict access to cardholder data on a need-to-know basis, and assign unique IDs to each person with computer access.

Regularly monitor and test networks: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data, and regularly test security systems and processes.

Maintain an information security policy: Develop and maintain a comprehensive security policy that addresses all areas of information security relevant to the organization, including data classification, access control, and incident response.

The PCI-DSS has six overall goals, which are to:

Build and maintain a secure network and systems

Protect cardholder data

Maintain a vulnerability management program

Implement strong access control measures

Regularly monitor and test networks

Maintain an information security policy

Organizations that comply with the PCI-DSS can reduce the risk of data breaches, avoid fines and penalties for non-compliance, and maintain the trust of their customers.