PCI Compliance: Challenges And Opportunities Of PCI

The control framework implicit in the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) provides an enterprise structure for improving operational, security, and audit performance. The benefits of the PCI DSS go beyond audit costs and results, however. As a security model, PCI requirements can help companies control compliance costs and build a more efficient and reliable IT infrastructure that delivers better service while incurring less risk. Alignment of business and PCI goals ensures that internal security standards remain consistent with PCI requirements and that security policies remain relevant and enforced.

The greatest risk to credit card data is constantly evolving exploits that target both technical and administrative vulnerabilities in information systems. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) addresses those vulnerabilities, specifically those affecting sensitive cardholder data, and sets forth requirements companies must meet to minimize the impact of those vulnerabilities on security. The PCI standard requires continuous validation of security efforts, so companies complying with PCI DSS can't simply implement solutions and then forget about them.