What is PCI Compliance?

Payment card industry (PCI) compliance is mandated by credit card companies to help ensure the security of credit card transactions in the payments industry. All companies that process credit card information are required to maintain PCI compliance as directed by their card processing agreements. PCI compliance is the industry standard and businesses without it can be subject to substantial fines for agreement violations and negligence. Without PCI compliance companies are also highly vulnerable to theft, fraud, and data breaches.

Being in PCI compliance means continually adhering to a set of guidelines created by the PCI Standards Council, which includes six major objectives, 12 key requirements, 78 base requirements, and more than 400 test procedures. Its six major requirements include the following:

  • Building and maintenance of a secure network and system
  • Cardholder data protection
  • Ongoing vulnerability management
  • Access control
  • Ongoing monitoring and testing of utilized networks
  • Policy documentation
“They were there every step of the way in order for us to achieve our security goals. At the end of the day, our executives wanted to know that our customers and their customers, the passengers, are all protected as well as their data.”
– Information Security Officer / Avionics

Do You Need to Redo Your PCI Compliance Process or Find a New QSA?

Going through the PCI compliance process can be frustrating. At DirectDefense, we understand this. That’s why we make the process easier for you in two ways:

  1. We’re an experienced company, and we make it a point to take a personalized approach to your PCI compliance despite it being a predetermined set of mandates. We have the technical know-how to get it done and get it done right, with minimal stress to you and your organization.
  2. We follow a phased approach to make the PCI compliance process smooth, easy and understandable from start to finish.

Our Goal: To help you avoid getting breached, and to stand behind you through any security event.

Step 1: Environment Assessment

We conduct a thorough interview to understand your current security environment and assess your PCI compliance needs.

Step 2: Communication of Preparations

We’ll convey the items your organization needs to prepare for PCI compliance.

Step 3: Documentation Review

We draw up a PCI compliance questionnaire to ensure your compliance with the mandate before we conduct the compliance review.

Step 4: PCI Compliance Review

A DirectDefense expert QSA conducts the questionnaire. Given the preparations, the process is seamless and the paperwork can be filed and finalized shortly after the review.

Why Work with a Security Firm for Your PCI Compliance?

If your organization performs fewer than 6 million transactions per year or obtains consent from its bank, you can conduct your own PCI compliance process through a self-assessment questionnaire. However, there are inherent risks with this approach, including that most organizations are required to conduct a full assessment. In addition, there is:

  • no support or back-up from a licensed, insured firm in the event of a security breach
  • increased liability if customer card information is compromised
  • high risk of negative impact to your company’s reputation and profitability
  • greater responsibility for meeting the complex requirements of PCI compliance

When you partner with DirectDefense, you’ll also have access to the experience, knowledge, and services of our seasoned team to help strengthen your organization’s overall security posture–because when your information security is strong, PCI compliance falls into place.

Related Content:
Case Study:
Case Study: PCI Compliance – Hospitality
Solution Brief:
Solution Brief: Implementing PCI Compliance