In the digital era, the importance of securing sensitive information cannot be overstated. We provide extensive PCI consulting for Australian businesses and organisations aiming not only to protect their cardholder information but also to achieve and maintain PCI DSS compliance. Adhering to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is vital, and with our seasoned advice, we guide you through the intricate maze of data protection, ensuring you are well-prepared to tackle both existing and future challenges.
Every organisation, anywhere in the world, that stores, processes or handles payment card data is required to be Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant . This standard was designed to increase cardholder data protection to dramatically reduce credit card fraud. It doesn’t matter how few transactions your business or organisation has. It doesn’t matter if all your payments are handled by third-party payment processors. It doesn’t matter if the credit card is never stored on your servers, you still need to be PCI DSS compliant by meeting the requirements that are set out in the standard.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance is, at its core, a contractual agreement between your organisation or business and the financial institution that handles the payments.
The PCI DSS has 12 requirements that have a clear focus on using secure systems. Implementation of the standard will depend on the size and nature of your business or organisation, the way in which you are configured to accept and process card payments, and the services providers you work with and their roles in the payment process.
Compliance reporting for small merchants can be as simple as completing a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) while for larger merchants and third party service providers, annual assessments must be conducted by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) Company such as Vectra Corporation or a PCI SSC certified Internal Security Assessor (ISA). If you have internet facing IP addresses you may be required to conduct network vulnerability scanning utilising an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) certified by the PCI Security Standards Council. The compliance requirements and how often compliance needs to be validated depends on the number of annual transactions processed by your business or organisation.
Merchant levels are assigned by the Acquirer based on transaction volume. We can support categorisation based on what the bank’s expectations are and the relevant card scheme requirements. Your merchant level will determine the PCI DSS compliance requirements that your organisation will need to meet.
Vectra is widely known for providing concise and thorough PCI DSS assessments. We have some of the most experienced Qualified Security Assessors (QSA) in the industry. This is why more than 80% of Australia’s top companies, trust Vectra with their PCI DSS assessments.
We launched our payment card related security compliance services in 2004 through programs with Visa and MasterCard. We then became the first Australian company to be certified as a QSA Company (QSAC) by the PCI Security Standards Council when it was formed in 2006. Since that time we’ve assisted thousands of organisations of all sizes in sectors including retail, financial services, insurance, transport, banking, credit unions, building societies, utilities, gaming and third party hosting and service providers.
Ensuring the security of your digital assets has never been more vital. Our expert PCI consultants can provide guidance to ensure your business can achieve all 12 requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Partner with us today to experience a smooth transition to PCI compliance, from initial risk evaluations to the successful setup of essential controls and practices.
Our team of Qualified Security Assessors can assist your organisation to implement robust and advanced data security systems to help secure your customers sensitive card data. In a world that is digitised, we help you to meet the PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and provide your customers with reassurance that their personal cardholder data is safe and secure while transacting with your business or organisation.
Delving into the nuances of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) might seem overwhelming for enterprises big and small. We offer solutions designed to your business through every compliance stage. From detailed gap analysis to forward-thinking compliance oversight, we prepare your business to exceed the PCI DSS compliance criteria. Join Vectra as your reliable ally in fortifying both business and customer data.
PCI DSS certification stands as an imperative step for any entity dealing with cardholder information. It mandates adherence to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. PCI DSS certification signifies your organisation’s dedication to data protection, establishing a formidable defence against online risks, and complying with top-tier industry practices.
Payment card industry merchants can prepare for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard PCI DSS compliance by undertaking a PCI DSS gap assessment. This type of assessment helps to identify, analyse and document any areas of non-compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard so that the merchant can remediate any issues prior to applying for a PCI DSS compliance assessment.
ASV (Approved Scanning Vendor) Vulnerability Scanning is a quarterly requirement for many organisations as part of the requirements to maintain their Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance. Vectra provides a web based portal that can be easily configured to automate the scanning process as required by PCI DSS, or can allow scans to be run on an ad-hoc basis when required.
Before diving into the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requirements, you will also want to find out which SAQ applies to your business. While most requirements will stay the same, there are some differences in the work you’ll need to do based on your SAQ.
The standard has twelve requirements that are divided into six distinct control objectives. It’s imperative for businesses, regardless of size, to thoroughly understand and adhere to these requirements to maintain a level of data security that aligns with best practice methodology. Organisations looking to obtain and maintain PCI DSS compliance must meet or exceed these requirements on an ongoing basis.
Objectives | PCI DSS Requirements |
|---|---|
Build and Maintain a Secure Network and Systems | 1. Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data 2. Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters |
Protect Cardholder Data | 3. Protect stored cardholder data 4. Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public network |
Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program | 5. Protect all systems against malware and regularly update anti-virus software or programs 6. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications |
Implement Strong Access Control Measures | 7. Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know 8. Identify and authenticate access to system components 9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data |
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks | 10. Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data 11. Regularly test security systems and processes |
Maintain an Information Security Policy | 12. Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel |
