Steps To Achieve PCI DSS Compliance
If you have a digital business, chances are you’ll be involved with some form of card payment. Credit and debit card payments are a fundamental aspect of most businesses.
What this brings along with the money transfer is a whole lot of potential cyber security risks. The increased use of electronic payments in recent times has led to a rise in security threats and cyberattacks.
In response to these threats, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was established to ensure that businesses accepting electronic payments meet certain security requirements. Adhering to PCI DSS compliance can help ensure that you meet the necessary security requirements to protect cardholder data, and also the long-term success and reputation of your business.
Achieving PCI DSS compliance can be a complex process, but with the help of the following steps, you can meet the necessary requirements:
Determine Your PCI DSS Compliance Level
The first step to achieving PCI DSS compliance is to determine which level your business falls into. The PCI DSS compliance levels are determined based on the number of transactions a business processes annually. Level 1 is for businesses that process over 6 million transactions annually, Level 2 is for businesses that process between 1 million and 6 million transactions annually, and so on.
Once you have determined your compliance level, you can determine the specific requirements that your business needs to meet.
Understand the PCI DSS Requirements
The PCI DSS consists of 12 requirements, which are designed to ensure that businesses that accept credit and debit card payments maintain a secure environment. These requirements cover a range of areas, including network security, access control, and data protection.
It is essential to have a thorough understanding of the specific requirements that apply to your business. You can find detailed information on the requirements on the PCI Security Standards Council website.
Conduct a Self-Assessment
Once you understand the specific PCI DSS requirements that apply to your business, you should conduct a self-assessment to identify any areas where you are not compliant. This assessment should be based on the requirements of your specific compliance level.
The PCI Security Standards Council provides a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) for each compliance level. The SAQ includes a series of questions that will help you identify areas where your business may not be compliant. You should complete the SAQ and use the results to develop a plan to address any areas of non-compliance.
Develop a Plan of Action
Based on the results of your self-assessment, you should develop a plan of action to address any areas of non-compliance. Your plan should include specific steps that you will take to bring your business into compliance with the PCI DSS requirements.
Your plan of action may include implementing new security measures, updating policies and procedures, or training employees on data security best practices. It is important to prioritize the most critical areas of non-compliance and address them first.
Implement Security Measures
Implementing security measures is a critical step in achieving PCI DSS compliance. Your plan of action should include specific measures that you will implement to address areas of non-compliance.
Some common security measures that businesses may need to implement include installing firewalls, using encryption to protect data, and restricting access to cardholder data. It is important to ensure that all security measures are properly implemented and configured to provide maximum protection.
Using DAST tools such as Beagle Security can help you receive a comprehensive report on your security stature. Appropriate measures can be taken based on such reports.
Train Employees on Data Security
Employee training is an essential aspect of PCI DSS compliance. All employees who handle cardholder data should be trained in data security best practices, including how to identify and report security incidents.
Training should be provided on a regular basis and should cover topics such as password security, phishing attacks, and social engineering tactics. Employees should also be trained in the specific policies and procedures that your business has implemented to protect cardholder data.
Conduct Regular Security Audits
Conducting regular security audits is essential to maintaining PCI DSS compliance. Audits should be conducted by an independent third-party auditor to ensure that your business is meeting all of the necessary requirements.
The frequency of audits will depend on your compliance level, but all businesses should conduct an annual audit. The audit will help identify any areas of non-compliance and provide recommendations for improvement.
Monitor Your System for Security Threats
Monitoring your system for security threats is an ongoing process that is essential to maintaining PCI DSS compliance. You should have systems in place to monitor your network for any suspicious activity or potential security breaches.
This may include implementing intrusion detection systems, performing regular vulnerability scans, and monitoring system logs for any unusual activity. It is important to promptly investigate any potential security incidents and take appropriate action to address them.
Using Beagle Security, you can perform scheduled automated penetration tests that can provide contextual reports with detailed remediation guidance based on your tech stack. This helps you have an overall idea of your security stature at all times.
Beagle Security also provides PCI DSS-specific compliance reports. These reports have actionable insights that help you plug any loopholes you may have and prevent any attacks.
PCI DSS compliance is crucial for businesses that accept credit and debit card payments. Compliance protects cardholder data, avoids penalties and fines, and reduces security risks. Meeting PCI DSS requirements builds customer trust and improves business reputation, as it shows a commitment to protecting sensitive information. It is an essential investment for any business that wishes to maintain a secure and trustworthy environment for their customers.