Who needs to follow PCI-DSS?
When it comes to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS), there are certain individuals and organizations that are required to follow them. These standards were created to ensure that all entities that accept, process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment and protect sensitive data.
First and foremost, any organization that accepts credit card payments must comply with PCI-DSS. This includes small businesses, as well as large corporations and government agencies. This applies to all types of credit card transactions, whether they are conducted online, over the phone, or in person. Additionally, any business that stores, processes, or transmits credit card data must also comply with PCI-DSS.
Furthermore, any third-party service providers that have access to credit card data must also comply with PCI-DSS. This includes payment processors, gateways, and other intermediaries. Even if a business does not directly accept credit cards, but uses a third-party service provider that does, the business must still comply with PCI-DSS.
Other entities that must comply with PCI-DSS include merchants, service providers, and any other organization that stores, processes, or transmits credit card data. This includes merchants who accept credit card payments both online and offline, as well as any other entity that uses credit card data in the course of their business.
In addition, any business that falls under the jurisdiction of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) must comply with PCI-DSS. This includes any merchant that accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB credit cards.
Furthermore, any business that is required to comply with PCI-DSS must also comply with any additional regulations or laws that may apply to their specific industry. For example, healthcare organizations must comply with HIPAA and HITECH, and financial institutions must comply with GLBA.
In conclusion, PCI-DSS applies to any organization that accepts, processes, stores or transmits credit card information. This includes small businesses, large corporations, government agencies, third-party service providers, merchants, and any other entity that falls under the jurisdiction of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. Compliance with these standards is crucial for protecting sensitive data and maintaining a secure environment for credit card transactions.