Common PCI mistakes and how to avoid them
PCI compliance data security standard (PCI DSS), is a set of security policies that businesses must follow in order to protect cardholder data.Any businesses that accepts, stores, transmits credit, debit or prepaid has to be PCI compliant.The goal of a PCI DSS certification is to build and maintain a secure network, Regularly monitor and test networks, and to maintain a vulnerability management program.
Common mistakes #1 Improper segmentation and scope
One mistake that organizations make is failing to separate the cardholder data environment from the rest of the data infrastructure. Known as segmentation, if not taken care of can result in hackers accessing cardholder data from less secure areas. To avoid this issue here, make sure to take the time necessary to properly plan and document all in-scope areas of your cardholder environment.Any system that affects the security of the cardholder data environment is considered to be labeled in-scope and should be labeled as such..This applies primarily to your subnetworks. Any subnetworks that have no access to cardholder data should be segmented out.
Common mistake # 2 Assuming that compliance doesn’t apply to you.
Many vendors presume that how they take or store payment card information makes them exempt from PCI DSS compliance without realizing that the standard applies to any transaction, transmission, or storage of payment card data. Even if you take payment information through word of mouth and put it in a system to be stored, its still being transmitted from a network through your bank.Some vendors think business size also makes them exempt from PCI DSS compliance. That’s simply not true no matter the size of business you have to be PCI DSS compliant. PCI DSS applies to all businesses that handle the storing, processing, or transmitting of cardholder data or sensitive authentication data regardless of size and scope. Don’t make the mistake of being non-compliant.
Common mistake #3 use of non-expiring or weak passwords
Use of weak or non-expiring passwords can bring problems for your business or make you non compliant with PCI. Passwords are the bridge that hackers can use to get inside all of your private information.They give unauthorized people a simple entry point, increasing the risk of data breaches and the exploitation of private cardholder data.Companies need to have strong password policies to minimize this danger.For a company to protect itself passwords need to be changed routinely and also be complex for safety purposes. Disregarding strong passwords can put your brand and consumer confidence at risk, as well as financial penalties.So in order to protect your cardholders personal info enforcing strict password regulations is a necessity.
In conclusion,There is no excuse for failing to comply with PCI DSS audit regulations. The necessary information for compliance is available from the PCI Security Standards Council. Companies need to take the required actions to protect cardholder data and prevent committing potentially expensive violations and risking their customers’ sensitive information.If you need help becoming PCI DSS compliant than contact Itasc today to help you become compliant.