Following the PCI rules is crucial for companies that handle cardholder data. While smaller companies may not have to go to as much trouble as larger ones, they must still take steps to demonstrate their compliance. This article explains the benefits, maintenance, and segmentation of PCI compliant. Then you can make the right choice for your company. But before you begin, here are some important things to consider.
Non-Compliance fees
As a merchant, it is important to keep up with PCI compliance and avoid paying non-compliance fees. Although many companies charge the same annual fee, it is important to choose a provider willing to offer monthly payment plans to meet the requirements. Non-compliance fees are usually not refundable, so it is crucial to choose carefully. You may also need to pay a non-compliance fee to cancel an account, as high as $30.
While the fines vary, the typical ranges are between $5,000 and $10,000 per month. Payment processors also vary in their penalty amounts. It is essential to understand the penalties associated with non-compliance since they can be devastating to a small business. Further, non-compliance fees may lead to loss of sales, which can drive a merchant out of business.
Benefits
While it may seem daunting to follow the PCI rules and regulations, it’s not as difficult as you think. There are a few key benefits of following PCI rules and regulations. First and foremost, it protects your business from security breaches. Second, following the rules can help you reduce fines in the event of a security incident. Third, you’ll keep your customers happy, resulting in brand loyalty.
Lastly, implementing PCI rules and regulations can increase customer confidence. Studies have shown that businesses that follow PCI rules and regulations are 50% more likely to survive a data breach than those that don’t. By following the rules and regulations, you’ll reduce the risks associated with breaches while at the same time reducing the stress of running a business. Your customers will also appreciate your efforts to protect their information.
Maintenance
A company compliant with the PCI DSS standards must maintain its systems and networks and perform regular maintenance to avoid the loss of sensitive cardholder data. These rules require that companies implement strong encryption to protect cardholder information. The encryption architecture must be documented, and personnel who need remote access must use multi-factor authentication. In addition, businesses must perform external penetration testing at least once every six months. A data breach of this scale can cripple a small business. Security measures include firewalls and network access controls. Here are some of the requirements for PCI compliance:
- PCI REQUIREMENT 1 requires network security controls and secure configurations for all system components.
- PCI REQUIREMENT 2 requires information programs and firewalls that support PCI DSS. Firewalls are essential in PCI compliance since they restrict incoming network traffic using rules or criteria. Further, they prevent unauthorized access to cardholder data.
Segmentation
While PCI DSS compliance may seem like a set-and-forget initiative, it is vital to review and assess your network segmentation policies continually. New regulations and threats are always emerging, so it is imperative to constantly monitor your segmentation policies to ensure they meet compliance requirements. Additionally, segmentation can help you identify hazards and avoid compliance violations. Changing segmentation policies is costly and often requires a significant investment in infrastructure and processes. Changing segmentation policies requires coordination between teams within a data center and a middle-of-the-night change window. Changing segmentation policies is not a seamless process, and it will disrupt critical business processes. Fortunately, the cloud makes it easier to keep up with compliance requirements, but organizations must still compromise to maintain flexibility and seamlessness.
