Data Security (PCI DSS)
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of requirements designed to ensure that merchants and service providers adequately protect cardholder data.
It defines a standard of due care and enforcement for protecting sensitive cardholder information. The standard applies to all entities that store, process, transmit or access cardholder data.
These data security standards are developed and managed by an independent body that was created by the major payment card companies (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB) to improve transaction security.
Compliance with the PCI DSS standards is required of all merchants and service providers who store, process or transmit cardholder data. The requirements apply to all payment channels, including retail shops, mail/telephone order companies and e-commerce businesses. There are different requirements depending on a range of criteria, such as cardholder data storage, processing channels, security protocols, transaction volume and so on.
If you do not comply with the PCI DSS security requirements, your business may be at risk and you may also be subject to non-compliance fines from the Card Schemes.
Benefits to merchants
The benefits of PCI DSS to merchants include the following:
- Protection of customer’s personal data
- Increased customer confidence through a higher level of data security
- Increased protection against financial losses
- Enhanced customer trust and safeguarded reputation
For more information on PCI DSS, see the PCI Security Standards Council website
AIB Merchant Services PCI DSS programme
AIBMS requires all merchants to report on their PCI DSS compliance and we have partnered with Sysnet Global Solutions to to help you in completing this process on their easy-to-use online merchant portal.
The programme provides you with access to a PCI Helpdesk with expertise in the field of PCI DSS, to support you in completing your requirements. Contact the AIBMS PCI DSS helpdesk using the numbers below:
AIBMS PCI DSS Helpdesk
ROI: 1800 81 66 05
GB: 0330 808 1652
NI: 0330 808 1653