Accepting credit cards opens the door to new revenue, but it also comes with a serious responsibility: protecting sensitive payment data.
In today’s digital marketplace, eCommerce merchants face increasing challenges to protect customer data and maintain trust. One crucial aspect that every online business should understand is PCI compliance. But what exactly is PCI, and why is it so important?
Keeping customer information secure isn’t just a legal or compliance requirement—it’s also a sign of professionalism and care. As electronic payments have surged, so have data breaches, prompting stricter global standards like PCI DSS to protect everyone in the payment ecosystem.
What is PCI DSS?
PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. It’s a global set of security standards designed to ensure that all businesses accepting, processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information maintain a secure environment.
PCI DSS is governed by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), which includes major card brands: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB.
If your business handles cardholder data in any way, you are responsible for PCI compliance.
Why PCI Compliance Matters
Failing to comply with PCI DSS can lead to:
- Hefty fines
- Security breaches
- Terminated processing privileges
- Loss of customer trust
Even businesses that use third-party payment platforms can be held accountable for failing to secure customer data. Ensuring compliance protects both your reputation and your bottom line.
The 12 Core Requirements of PCI DSS
PCI DSS outlines 12 key requirements across technology, access control, and internal policies:
- Install and maintain a secure firewall
- Avoid vendor-supplied defaults (passwords, settings)
- Protect stored cardholder data
- Encrypt data during transmission over public networks
- Use anti-virus and anti-malware tools
- Keep systems and software updated
- Restrict access to data on a need-to-know basis
- Use unique IDs for users with computer access
- Restrict physical access to data
- Monitor and track access to cardholder data
- Regularly test systems and processes
- Maintain an information security policy
What Counts as Cardholder Data?
Cardholder data includes:
- Primary Account Number (PAN)
- Cardholder name
- Expiration date
- CVV (Card Verification Value)
Sensitive authentication data (which must never be stored after authorization) includes:
- Full magnetic stripe or chip data
- CVV/CVC security code
- PIN or encrypted PIN block
Storage of cardholder data is not recommended unless absolutely necessary—and only with strong justification and robust protection.
Merchant Levels and Compliance Requirements
All businesses that store, process, or transmit cardholder data must comply with PCI DSS, but requirements vary depending on your merchant level, determined by transaction volume:
| Level | Criteria |
| 1 | Over 6 million Visa/Mastercard transactions annually, or any merchant that’s experienced a data breach |
| 2 | 1M–6M Visa/Mastercard transactions annually |
| 3 | 20K–1M e-commerce transactions annually |
| 4 | Under 20K e-commerce OR under 1M total Visa/Mastercard transactions annually |
How to Become PCI Compliant
- Determine your merchant level
Your volume over the past 12 months defines your level and compliance pathway. - Complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)
This checklist helps you evaluate your security practices. - Conduct a vulnerability scan
If required, use a PCI SSC-approved scanning vendor (ASV) to complete a quarterly scan. - Complete an Attestation of Compliance (AOC)
If applicable, submit proof of your PCI compliance to your acquiring bank or processor.
Note: If your business experiences a security breach, you may be moved to a higher merchant level with more stringent validation requirements.
Staying Compliant with KORT
KORT helps businesses stay PCI-compliant with:
- Secure infrastructure built for PCI DSS standards
- Tokenization and encryption to reduce risk
- Expert guidance from certified payment professionals
- User-friendly tools that minimize your exposure to sensitive data
Whether you’re processing online, in-store, or via mobile, KORT provides a secure, PCI-ready environment backed by 24/7 support and industry best practices.