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The PCI DSS is a worldwide security standard assembled by the PCI SSC. The organization was founded by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide, and Visa, Inc. The PCI DSS was created to minimize and prevent credit card fraud in any organization that processes credit card payments. If your company holds, processes or passes credit card information then you need to follow this security standard.

The current PCI DSS version is 1.2.1 from July 2009. What are the Requirements and Security Assessment Procedures?

Build and Maintain a Secure Network

  • Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
  • Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

Protect Cardholder Data

  • Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
  • Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks

Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

  • Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs
  • Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

  • Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know
  • Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
  • Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

  • Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
  • Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes

Maintain an Information Security Policy

  • Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security for employees and contractors

You can get all detailed information, lots of documents with standards and supporting document in many languages at the PCI Security Standards Council. ■

PCI DSS