Is Your Ecommerce Store Vulnerable? PCI Compliance 101 Guide
Whether you’re new to the ecommerce world or have been running your store for some time, you have probably heard of PCI compliance. But what does this mean for your business and what do you have to do?
Whether you’re new to the ecommerce world or have been running your store for some time, you have probably heard of PCI compliance. But what does this mean for your business and what do you have to do?
As of 2022, just under 15% of all retail sales in the United States took place online. Despite a slight dip from their all-time high in 2020 (likely due to the Covid-19 pandemic forcing physical stores to close and the population to stay at home), these figures are generally rising year on year. This presents a tremendous opportunity for ecommerce business owners and entrepreneurs.
However, this growth also comes with increased risks, and ecommerce retailers must be vigilant. With the ever-present threat of cyberattacks, it is essential to take steps to close any security vulnerabilities and ensure that your ecommerce business, and your customers’ data, remains secure.
What is PCI Compliance?
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), is a set of requirements designed to ensure that all businesses that process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure online environment and keep their customers’ payment details safe.
The goal of this global set of guidelines is to protect cardholder data from theft and ensure secure and consistent handling of such information no matter where in the world the business or customer is located.
Standard was established in 2004 by five major credit card companies–Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB–to mitigate the risks associated with payment card data breaches.
Why is PCI Compliance Important?
All organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card details must comply with the PCI DSS. Though not federally mandated in the United States, the PCI DSS has been incorporated into some states’ laws.
Regardless of the law in your jurisdiction, being non-compliant with the PCI DSS can lead to hefty fines, penalties up to and including the loss of your right to process credit card payments, and reputational damage. In the event of a security breach, PCI compliance can minimize the potential damage by ensuring you have essential protective measures in place.
PCI-compliance also shows trustworthiness, and customers are far more likely to trust and purchase from stores that prioritize security. Being PCI-compliant significantly increases your store's credibility.
Is Your Store Vulnerable? Vulnerability Scanning
Vulnerabilities, in this context, are cybersecurity weaknesses that–if not remedied–could lead to a data breach. In most cases, it is relatively easy to remedy known weaknesses through auditing, reconfigurations, and removing obsolete or high-risk software from your systems.
If you are unsure about your store's security level, it is time to do a vulnerability scan. You should also be performing these periodically, as vulnerabilities can arise in the course of your operations. For most businesses, vulnerability scanning once per month will be about right.
A vulnerability scan is an automated, high-level test that checks for vulnerabilities and then reports any found to the business or organization so that it can take action. PCI DSS compliance requires two independent vulnerability scanning methods: internal and external.
An internal vulnerability scan is conducted within the organization's network, while an external scan is conducted outside of it. An internal scan is typically reactive and identifies security holes through which hackers might gain access to the system or server, while an external scan is proactive and looks for other ways through which hackers might gain access such as applications, ports, and other IT assets.
ESecurity Planet offers a convenient ten-step guide to running a vulnerability scan.
Steps to Ensure PCI Compliance
Now that you understand the importance of vulnerability scanning and ensuring that your business is PCI-compliant, you are likely wondering how compliance can be achieved.
There are 12 PCI compliance requirements that you must meet, each of which is divided into many sub-requirements. In this section, we have laid out the core requirements and a brief summary of what you need to know about them.
12 PCI compliance requirements:
1. Install and maintain a firewall.
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. You will need to test your network connections and restrict connections to untrusted networks.
2. Change vendor-supplied default passwords and security settings.
These supplied passwords and settings are often inherently insecure. You will need to remove unnecessary services and functionalities, encrypt access, and use secure passwords.
3. Protect stored cardholder data.
You will need to limit the data you store, avoid storing certain data types entirely, and have policies for the correct and secure disposal of data.
4. Encrypt cardholder data when transmitting it across open, public networks.
Never send sensitive data (such as account or card numbers) across end-user communications technologies such as email, instant messaging, text, or online chat.
5. Use and regularly update antivirus software.
Antivirus software prevents, detects, and destroys computer viruses.
6. Develop security systems and processes.
You will need robust processes and procedures outlining how you will identify and eliminate any vulnerabilities.
7. Restrict access to cardholder data to a need-to-know basis.
You will need to restrict access to certain individuals or roles as required, and use your systems to ensure these restrictions are enforced.
8. Assign user IDs to everybody with computer access.
This allows you to authenticate your users, restrict access (as outlined above), and monitor activity.
9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data.
You may need to use security tools and technology such as cameras or key-card access to restrict who can be in sensitive areas of the business or have access to certain equipment.
10. Track and monitor who accesses networks and cardholder data.
An audit trail including time-stamped tracking allows you to monitor activity and review logs in the event of any suspicious activity.
11. Regularly test systems and processes.
This is where vulnerability scanning and other relevant tests come in. They will allow you to identify small problems before they become big problems.
12. Have a policy on information security.
Write, publish, and disseminate a policy that outlines your organization’s rules and responsibilities, and update this at least once per year.
Once you are sure these standards are met, you will need to complete an assessment (for small businesses this can often be a self-assessment) to show that your practices are secure.
Remember, achieving PCI compliance isn’t a one-time task. As cyber threats evolve, so must your protective measures. Review and update your security protocols regularly to stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities.
A Safe and Secure Ecommerce Store
In today's digital-forward and increasingly connected world, cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. This means that security has never been more important.
If you are a new ecommerce store owner, navigating the world of PCI compliance might feel overwhelming. However, it is a vital process to ensure both the safety of your business operations and the trust of your customers.
If you would like to learn more about setting up and developing a safe, secure, and compliant ecommerce store, the expert team at Monogo will be pleased to assist you. Please contact us to learn more and get started.