Click here for a free PCI scan from ControlScan

Featured Article

Written by:
Fritz Young
Joan Herbig

Is PCI Compliance a Law? Should it be?

Is PCI compliance a law? The short answer is no. The long answer is that while it is not currently a federal law, there are state laws that are already in effect (and some that may go into effect) to force components of the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) into law. In addition, there is a big push by legislatures and industry trade association to enact a federal law around data security and breach notification.

In 2007 Minnesota established the “Plastic Card Security Act” which states that any company that is breached and is found to have been storing “prohibited” PCI data (e.g., magnetic stripe , CVV codes, track data etc) are required to reimburse banks and other entities for costs associated with blocking and reissuing cards. This law also opens up these companies to private lawsuits. Currently, the law does not affect Level 4 merchants (less than 20,000 transactions a year).

Recent Articles

Is PCI Compliance a Law? Should it be?

Security vs. PCI Compliance

Reading accounts of highly publicized data breaches over the last few months occurring in companies that are seemingly PCI compliant, begs the question, “does PCI compliance equal security?” The answer is, “it depends.” Unfortunately no business is ever completely secure, but companies can mitigate their risk and make it much harder and more resource intensive for anyone to breach their defenses.

Beyond PCI: Other Regulations to Look For in 2009

Just a few days ago, the Federal Reserve, the Office of Thrift Supervision and the National Credit Union Administration announced the enactment of comprehensive new rules regarding card practices. These rules, which will not take effect until July 1, 2010, impose restrictions on a number of controversial issuer practices, including interest rate increases, late fees and double-cycle billing.

View Archive

SAQ Version 1.2 Brings Some Clarity for Level 4 Merchants

The PCI Council released the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) 1.2 at the beginning of October, and a few days ago they released the corresponding changes to the Self Assessment Questionnaire. We’ve had a chance to examine the new versions of the SAQ and have some observations.

What Constitutes a Payment Application?

Companies frequently ask us about what constitutes a payment application as it relates to PCI Compliance. The term payment application has a very broad meaning in PCI. So hopefully the content of this brief article will help clarify the subject and better define the term.

Understand your Legal Rights and Responsibilities Related to PCI Compliance

As with most aspects of the Internet, doing business via the Web has been a series of constant experiments and corrections. The use of electronic payments sparked a huge surge in the number and severity of identity theft cases across the world. Since the card issuers were the most visible agents for these activities, the burden to secure cardholder identities and other sensitive data was assigned to them.

Five Common Myths Debunked

There is a vast need for better information about PCI compliance in the marketplace. It is a relatively new standard and there is a lack of good information available. In this article I will outline a few of the most commonly held myths that we hear day in and day out from merchants, acquirers and service providers – along with the hard truths.

PCI DSS: An Acquirers Guide for PCI Compliance Best Practices

As deadline dates for PCI compliance looms for Level 1 and 2 merchants, the number of questions surrounding guidelines and methods of achieving that compliance keeps growing. Though the broad outline of compliance areas are clearly defined, not only on the credit card association side, but from acquirers as well, the intricate steps-within-steps of the outlined areas are proving to be bothersome for some.

5 Steps to Manage a Data Breach?

Industry-specific guidelines and compliance measures, such as the Payment Card Industry's Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), are continuing to emphasize the enforcement of measures to close any and all security loopholes in a company's infrastructure

5 Steps to Manage a Data Breach? Part II

Though a smaller data breach-affecting only 250 private records-than its predecessors at TJX and ChoicePoint, the musical instrument company Bananas.com (Bananas at Large) was the victim of a hacker, who, according to published reports stole an administrative password by accessing Bananas.com systems as a remote user.

Quick Links