Common PCI DSS Compliance Failures to Avoid

Your business must maintain its PCI DSS compliance when you’re handling customer card data. Everything you handle must be kept secure and safe without being at risk of theft.

You must especially avoid some of the more common instances of PCI compliance failure that businesses can experience. These concerns are problems merchant services clients often ignore, but they are simple and easy to resolve. The good news is that these problems are relatively easy to fix and can keep you from being subject to immense non-compliance fines.

No Logging

PCI DSS compliance standards state that you must log all data surrounding how people access your payment card database content and how others might use that information for things other than facilitating purchases. You can produce a log showing which people access the content and how you use what you hold. Failing to provide a listing can result in penalties.

Not Updating Content

You must use thoroughly updated firewalls, anti-virus programs, and other protective items to ensure your system stays intact. You will violate PCI compliance standards if you don’t update your setups. The companies that make whatever pieces of protective content you utilize can help you update these features as necessary, with some of them offering automated updates. Check with whoever you wish to hire for the service to see how you can get the updates you require for your work plans.

Improper SAD Storage

One common PCI DSS compliance violation merchant services clients often experience entails improper SAD storage. Sensitive Authentication Data can include a customer’s card verification value or CVV number, magnetic stripe data, or any PINs used to access your content. A business will violate PCI standards if it stores these items after they are first accepted. These are temporary items for confirmation that should not be stored in a database, as they could be used by potential data thieves to gather further information. Keeping these SAD features out of a database ensures anyone who illegally accesses the data won’t have full working copies of the content.

Poorly Coded Websites and Apps

The coding for your store’s website and any applications it uses should be secure enough to where people will not try and access your data on a network. But some websites and maps may be improperly coded to where SQL injection might occur. This hacking process entails adding new code that makes it easier for people to access databases. They could access cardholder data directly through a website or app.

You will violate PCI rules if your website isn’t coded the right way. You can ask a PCI compliance manager to figure out what coding irregularities exist in your setup and what you can do to resolve them before they can become more noticeable.

Improperly Planned POS Systems

The point-of-sale or POS system you utilize must be secure to where only the right authorized people can access the space. You can incorporate unique passwords and install safe firewall protections for external and internal links. Proper protection is necessary for ensuring all people can enter the POS system without risking outside parties interfering with the data.

Lack of Quarterly Scans

Every business should undergo a quarterly PCI scan through an independent service provider. A suitable scan reviews how well your business is handling its data and if it needs additional help for any purpose. A PCI scan can help you confirm what your business is doing right and that it is managing its security needs as necessary. But failing to plan the proper quarterly scans can result in your business not handling its PCI standards well. You might miss vulnerabilities in your system if you don’t get everything reviewed soon enough. Getting a plan for checking your content will be critical to your success in keeping your business afloat and secure.

Talk With Your Merchant Services Team

You can discuss your current online setup with your merchant services team to confirm you meet all PCI DSS compliance standards. Be sure your business can handle all the PCI compliance rules, as failing to meet them can result in your business potentially losing thousands of dollars due to non-compliance fines for your business not keeping things under control.