For any business that handles credit card or other payment card transactions, understanding PCI compliance is essential to maintaining a secure environment that protects not only your customers but your entire operation.
In a nutshell, PCI compliance requires that businesses protect cardholder data by following a checklist of technical and operational security precautions. Whether your business is already established or just getting started, the basics of PCI compliance aren’t as complicated as you might think.
This easy-to-follow guide will offer an overview of PCI compliance, who is required to comply, and how to secure your email communications containing cardholder data.
What is PCI compliance?
PCI stands for Payment Card Industry, and PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
The PCI DSS is a collection of global security standards created to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information keep that information secure.
These standards are administered by PCI Security Standards Council — a group founded by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa Inc.
While PCI compliance is not a law, it is a mandatory requirement enforced by major credit card companies in their contracts with merchants.
Why does PCI compliance matter?
PCI compliance is crucial for protecting your business and your customers from data breaches and fraud. Noncompliance can lead to severe penalties, legal repercussions, and loss of customer trust.
Ensuring that you meet PCI DSS requirements helps protect sensitive data and enhances your reputation as a trusted entity.
Who needs to be PCI compliant?
Any business around the globe that handles payment card transactions needs to be PCI compliant. This includes online retailers, brick-and-mortar stores, and any organization that processes credit card payments. If your business accepts, transmits, or stores any cardholder data, you must comply with PCI DSS requirements(new window).
Small businesses are required to be PCI compliant themselves — even if they use a payment processor like Stripe. While using a PCI-compliant payment processor can help meet some of the requirements, businesses are still responsible for ensuring that their own systems and practices comply with PCI DSS standards.
PCI compliance checklist
To become PCI compliant, businesses must follow the 12 requirements outlined by the PCI DS(new window)S(new window).
- Install and maintain a firewall to protect cardholder data.
- Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters.
- Protect stored cardholder data by encryption and secure storage methods.
- Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks.
- Protect all systems against malware and regularly update antivirus software or programs.
- Develop and maintain secure systems and applications.
- Restrict access to cardholder data based on business need-to-know.
- . Identify and authenticate access to system components.
- Restrict physical access to cardholder data.
- Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data.
- Regularly test security systems and processes.
- Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel.
It’s important to note, however, that each of these requirements are broken down even further into various sub-requirements. Compliance with each of them is essential.
While email security is not explicitly mentioned, the standard requires the encryption of cardholder data during transmission over public networks, which includes email.
A secure email is crucial for PCI compliance
One critical aspect of PCI compliance is ensuring that email communications containing customer credit card data are appropriately encrypted and protected. A failure to secure this valuable information could lead to data breaches, which could not only harm the reputation of your business but lead to devastating financial losses.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your email communications are secure:
Use end-to-end encryption
End-to-end encryption ensures data is encrypted on the sender’s device and only decrypted on the recipient’s device. Proton Mail, for example, provides this level of security, ensuring that even Proton cannot access the content of your emails.
Use multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), adds an extra layer of security beyond just passwords and can significantly enhance your defenses against unauthorized access. With a Proton For Business plan, you can make it mandatory for your organization to use 2FA to bolster and ensure security.
Regular security audits
Conduct regular security audits to ensure your email communications and other systems are compliant with PCI DSS requirements. These audits can uncover vulnerabilities in outdated firewall configurations and improper access controls.This helps in identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Stay PCI compliant with Proton
When you use Proton, you protect your business data so no one, not even Proton, can access it. The keys to your most valuable information remain in your possession at all times. This commitment to privacy and security makes Proton an ideal solution for businesses striving to achieve and maintain PCI compliance.
Proton started as a project led by scientists who met at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research). Our goal is to reshape the internet to put people and organizations in control of their data.
Switching to Proton Mail is simple with our Easy Switch feature, allowing you to seamlessly transition all your organization’s emails, contacts, and calendars from other services without any training required for your team. Our Support team is also on hand 24/7 to provide live support if you need additional help. Proton Mail, our end-to-end encrypted email, and Proton Drive, our end-to-end encrypted cloud storage service, make it simple to meet data protection and privacy requirements.
Using Proton for Business offers additional benefits, including:
- Proton Mail: Protect your business communications with end-to-end encrypted email, ensuring only you and your intended recipients can read your messages.
- Proton VPN(new window): Secure your internet connection and protect your online activity with high-speed VPN access.
- Proton Calendar: Manage your schedule with an encrypted calendar that keeps your business events private.
- Proton Pass: Store and manage your passwords securely with our encrypted password manager.
- Proton Drive: Securely store and share files with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your data remains private and protected.
Discover how Proton can make compliance simple for your organization by signing up for Proton for Business or get in touch with our Sales team for more tailored solutions.
When you move your business into the Proton ecosystem, you’re simultaneously protecting yourself and the data of your customers, staying compliant, and helping build a future where privacy is the default.
