Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards established to protect credit cardholders from fraud and theft. It is a global security standard that applies to all organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card information.

The PCI DSS was created by the major credit card companies, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. The standard outlines a set of requirements for ensuring the security of credit card data, such as securing networks and systems, maintaining secure payment applications, and implementing strong access control measures.

The standard consists of 12 requirements that are organized into six categories, including:

1. Build and maintain a secure network.
2. Protect cardholder data.
3. Maintain a vulnerability management program.
4. Implement strong access control measures.
5. Regularly monitor and test networks
6. Maintain an information security policy.

Compliance with the PCI DSS is mandatory for all merchants and service providers that accept credit card payments. Failure to comply with the standard can result in hefty fines, legal action, and damage to a company's reputation.

The 12 requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) are:

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.
3. Protect stored cardholder data.
4. Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks.
5. Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs.
6. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications.
7. Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know.
8. Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access.
9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data.
10. Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data.
11. Regularly test security systems and processes.
12. Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel.

Building and maintaining a secure network is one of the 12 requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Here are some steps you can take to comply with this requirement:

1. Install and maintain a firewall: A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. You should install and configure a firewall to protect your network from unauthorized access.
2. Use secure network protocols: Use secure protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to protect sensitive data transmitted over the network.
3. Protect wireless networks: If you use wireless networks, you should secure them with encryption and strong passwords. You should also disable any unnecessary features that could make your network vulnerable to attacks.
4. Restrict access to your network: You should restrict access to your network to authorized users only. Use strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and other access control measures to limit access to your network.
5. Monitor your network for vulnerabilities: Use vulnerability scanning tools to identify vulnerabilities in your network. You should also regularly perform penetration testing to test the effectiveness of your security controls.
6. Maintain network documentation: You should document your network architecture, including the location of cardholder data, network devices, and applications. This documentation will help you identify potential security risks and implement appropriate security controls.

By following these steps, you can build and maintain a secure network that meets the requirements of the PCI DSS.