PCI Compliance Requirements for e-Commerce Merchants

It seems as if the PCI compliance requirements for e-Commerce merchants seems to be getting more stringent as each year goes by. With a never ending list of PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) available for merchants to use, it’s becoming a complex and challenging process in determining which SAQ to embark upon, what documentation is needed, what important scoping considerations should come into play, and so much more.

Need answers to the dizzying array of PCI compliance requirements for e-commerce merchants, then you’ve found the right place! As the world’s undisputed leader for PCI Policy Packets & Compliance Toolkits for e-commerce Merchants, pcipolicyportal.com provides the following in-depth analysis and overview for helping you become PCI compliant – quickly, comprehensively, and cost-effectively. Want to safe hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on annual PCI compliance reporting – sure you do – then use our industry leading PCI toolkits, available for instant download today.

Making Sense of PCI Reporting and the Various SAQ Options

The biggest challenges we see when it comes to PCI compliance requirements for e-Commerce merchants is determining which of the PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) to use? After all, here’s the lucky list a merchant can choose from: SAQ A, SAQ A-EP, SAQ B, SAQ B-IP, SAQ-C, SAQ C-VT, SAQ P2PE-HW, and SAQ-D. It’s enough to make your head spin, for sure, so here’s a quick overview on each of the applicable SAQ’s in regards to determining which one is the best fit for your e-commerce platform.

• SAQ A: Card-not-present merchants (e-commerce or mail/telephone-order) that have fully outsourced all cardholder data functions to PCI DSS validated third-party service providers, with no electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the merchant’s systems or premises. Note: This is not applicable to face-to-face channels.

Therefore, to be eligible for SAQ A, e-commerce merchants must essentially meet all eligibility criteria detailed in SAQ A, including that there are no programs or application code that capture payment information on the merchant website. Examples of e-commerce implementations addressed by SAQ A include the following:

• Merchant has no access to their website, and the website is entirely hosted and managed by a compliant third-party payment processor.
• Merchant website provides an inline frame (iFrame) to a PCI DSS compliant third-party processor facilitating the payment process.
• Merchant website contains a URL link redirecting users from merchant website to a PCI DSS compliant third-party processor facilitating the payment process.

• SAQ A-EP: E-commerce merchants who outsource all payment processing to PCI DSS validated third parties, and who have a website(s) that doesn’t directly receive cardholder data but that can impact the security of the payment transaction. No electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the merchant’s systems or premises. Note: This is applicable only to e-commerce channels.

Please keep in mind that if ANY element of a payment page delivered to a consumers browsers originates from the merchant’s website, SAQ A does not apply; thus, SAQ A-EP would have to be used. Some common examples of e-commerce implementations addressed by SAQ A-EP include the following:

• Merchant website creates the payment form, and the payment data is delivered directly from the consumer browser to the payment processor (often referred to as “Direct Post”).
• Merchant website loads or delivers script that runs in consumers’ browsers (for example, JavaScript) and provides functionality that supports creation of the payment page and/or how the data is transmitted to the payment processor.

• SAQ D: SAQ D for Merchants: All merchants not included in descriptions for the above SAQ types.

Additionally, the following SAQ’s are NOT applicable to e-commerce merchants: SAQ B, SAQ B-IP, SAQ C, SAQ C-VT, and SAQ P2P-HW. Therefore, you really only have three (3) options as an e-commerce merchant: SAQ A, SAQ A-EP, or SAQ D.

So what are My Next Steps as a Merchant?

Next steps? Determine which of the SAQ’s you are going to assess against, for which the vast majority of e-commerce merchants will choose either SAQ A or SAQ A-EP, but that’s the easy part. The difficult compliance pill to swallow – one that often leaves a bitter taste in your mouth – is if you chose SAQ A-EP. Why? Because SAQ A-EP is a tremendous leap in terms of the number of requirements and overall complexity of controls that merchants have to comply with when looking at the ease and simplicity of SAQ A.

SAQ A vs. SAQ A-EP – What You Need to Know

It’s important to note that prior to the release of SAQ A-EP, many e-commerce merchants with web sites that impacted the security of payment transactions truly felt they only had to comply with SAQ A because their web server did not store, process, or transmit cardholder data. While true, the problem was that many of these web servers did not have sufficient security controls applied to them and have thus become common targets for attackers as a means to compromise cardholder data. So say hello to SAQ A-EP, a much more comprehensive Self-Assessment Questionnaire indeed, unfortunately. Here’s our expert advice on deciding between SAQ A vs SAQ A-EP:

For SAQ A, e-commerce merchants must meet the following conditions:

• Merchant has no access to their website, and the website is entirely hosted and managed by a compliant third-party payment processor.
• Merchant website provides an inline frame (iFrame) to a PCI DSS compliant third-party processor facilitating the payment process.
• Merchant website contains a URL link redirecting users from merchant website to a PCI DSS compliant third-party processor facilitating the payment process.

Therefore, if ANY element of a payment page delivered to consumers’ browsers originates from the merchant’s website, SAQ A can NOT be used, thus e-commerce merchants will have to look at SAQ A-EP or SAQ D. Examples of e-commerce implementations addressed by SAQ A-EP include:

• Merchant website creates the payment form, and the payment data is delivered directly from the consumer browser to the payment processor (often referred to as “Direct Post”).
• Merchant website loads or delivers script that runs in consumers’ browsers (for example, JavaScript) and provides functionality that supports creation of the payment page and/or how the data is transmitted to the payment processor.

Download SAQ Policy Packets from pcipolicyportal.com

Based on your e-commerce platform, merchants can become PCI DSS compliant via SAQ A, SAQ A-EP, or SAQ D, and pcipolicyportal.com has policy compliance packets available for each of these three reporting options. Visit pcipolicyportal.com today to instantly download your PCI policy compliance packets and get started immediately with becoming PCI DSS compliant. The PCI DSS standards are a fixture in today’s world of regulatory compliance – it’s just the world we live in – so now’s the time to get compliant and put in place all necessary policies, procedures, and related processes. pciolicyportal.com also offers professional consulting services for helping e-commerce merchants become compliant, such as policy writing, expert guidance on completing the applicable SAQ, and much more.

Since 2009, we’ve been helping e-commerce merchants become PCI DSS compliant, and now we’re ready to assist you! Just remember that often the most time-consuming and challenging aspect of compliance is none other than documentation – but we’ve got you covered. Our SAQ A, SAQ A-EP, and SAQ D policy packets are just what the PCI compliance doctor ordered!

PCI Compliance Certification for Retailers, Restaurants, and Retail Stores

PCI DSS compliance for retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses is absolutely essential in today’s world of regulatory compliance. With that in mind, ask yourself the following questions: Do you process credit card transactions at a retail location? Unclear as to what the PCI certification and reporting mandates are for retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses? Take a page out of the pcipolicyportal.com playbook in learning more about PCI compliance certification for retailors, restaurants, and retail stores and get compliant today.

If you store, process, and/or transmit cardholder data, or have the ability to impact the security of cardholder data, then you must become compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) – it’s just that simple. While compliance with PCI can be incredibly time-consuming and expensive – it doesn’t always have to be – especially if you have helpful materials that allow for rapid compliance, such as our award-winning PCI Compliance Toolkits for storefront merchants and the hospitality industry.

Our PCI Toolkits save Businesses Thousands of Dollars on Compliance

Do you own a storefront business selling goods or services? Perhaps a restaurant that’s growing and adding locations? Bottom line, if you are a traditional brick and mortar retail outlet selling a product, goods, or services, then you need to become PCI DSS compliant, but you also need to obtain high-quality policy templates, training material, and other essential documents for helping ensure rapid and swift PCI DSS compliance. Our award-winning PCI Compliance Toolkits for storefront merchants and the hospitality industry contain over 1,000 + pages of PCI DSS specific policies, procedures, forms, checklists, templates, training material – and more – essentially, everything you need to become compliant with PCI.

You “can” spend thousands of dollars on high-priced consultants for PCI compliance – and many of them are very good – but why do that when our PCI Compliance Toolkits are the easy answer towards rapid and complete compliance. Visit pcipolicyportal.com to learn more about our products and services.
If you’re storing, processing, and/or transmitting cardholder data, becoming PCI compliance is an absolute must, so take note of the following:

7 Things Retailors and Storefront Businesses Need to Know

1. You’re a merchant, so here’s what you need to know: Merchants must become PCI DSS compliant, no exceptions. If you are storing, processing and/or transmitting cardholder data – or have the ability to impact the security of cardholder data, then becoming compliant is a must. One of the biggest challenges facing merchants is not so much what merchant level are they – that’s relatively straightforward – it’s which one of the PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) to use. Is it SAQ-A, SAQ A-EP, or SAQ-D? There’s been many changes taking place in the world of PCI DSS compliance, so here’s what you need to know about each of the above three (3) SAQ’s:

• SAQ-A: Card-not-present merchants (e-commerce or mail/telephone-order) that have fully outsourced all cardholder data functions to PCI DSS validated third-party service providers, with no electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the merchant’s systems or premises.

• SAQ A-EP: E-commerce merchants who outsource all payment processing to PCI DSS validated third parties, and who have a website(s) that doesn’t directly receive cardholder data but that can impact the security of the payment transaction. No electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the merchant’s systems or premises.

• SAQ D: All merchants not included in descriptions for the above SAQ scope. Essentially, if you cannot use the above stated SAQ’s, the SAQ D becomes the default choice.

2. Determine your Merchant Level: Here are the various merchant levels and validation requirements:

• Merchant Level 1 & Merchant Criteria: (1). Any merchant, regardless of acceptance channel, processing more than 6,000,000 Visa transactions per year. (2). Any merchant that has had a data breach or attack that resulted in an account data compromise. (3). Any merchant identified by any card association as Level 1.
• Merchant Level 2 & Merchant Criteria: 1 million – 6 million Visa or MasterCard transactions annually (all channels).
• Merchant Level3 & Merchant Criteria: Merchants processing 20,000 to 1 million Visa or MasterCard e-commerce transactions annually.
• Merchant Level 4 & Merchant Criteria: Less than 20,000 Visa or MasterCard e-commerce transactions annually, and all other merchants processing up to 1 million Visa or MasterCard transactions annually.

• Level 1 Validation Requirements: (1). Annual Report on Compliance (“ROC”) by Qualified Security Assessor (“QSA”) – also commonly known as a Level 1 onsite assessment – or internal auditor if signed by officer of the company. (2). Quarterly network scan by Approved Scan Vendor (“ASV”). (3). Attestation of Compliance Form.
• Level 2 Validation Requirements for VISA and MasterCard: (1). Annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (“SAQ”). (2). Quarterly network scan by ASV. (3). Attestation of Compliance Form.
• Level 3 Validation Requirements for VISA and MasterCard: (1). Annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (“SAQ”). (2). Quarterly network scan by ASV. (3). Attestation of Compliance Form.
• Level 4 Validation Requirements for VISA and MasterCard: (1). Annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (“SAQ”). (2). Quarterly network scan by ASV. (3). Attestation of Compliance Form. Note: Ultimately, Compliance validation requirements set by acquirer.

3. Develop Policies & Procedures: Documentation is a big – and growing – component of regulatory compliance, especially when it comes to the PCI DSS standards for retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses. Whichever SAQ you decide to use for certification, or if you have to perform the dreaded onsite assessment with a PCI-QSA, you’ll need to have policies and procedures in place, no question about it. The challenge, however, is that most organizations have little or nothing in place in terms of documentation – and if they do – it’s often old, inaccurate, and not well-written. The solution? That’s easy, simply download our industry leading PCI policies and procedures packets today at pcipolicyportal.com. We’ve developed PCI SAQ policy packets, along with toolkits for onsite assessments.

4. Undertake Technical Remediation: Are your servers properly configured and provisioned in accordance with vendor specifications for ensuring maximum security? Do you have anti-virus, file integrity monitoring, and other software solutions in place? Are your firewalls properly configured for ensuring allowing approved ports, protocols, and services are used? These are just a few of the many questions you’ll need to be asking yourself throughout the PCI DSS process, and it’s questions that ultimately require considerable remediation efforts to be performed by retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses

5. Implement Security Awareness Training: Sure, security awareness training is a strict mandate for PCI DSS compliance for retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses, but it’s also one of the wisest investments you can make for your business, and why? Well, think about it, doesn’t it just make sense to have knowledgeable, well-trained employees who can assess security threats and risks and respond accordingly? Sure it does, and proper security awareness training materials – such as those provided by pcipolicyportal.com – make all the difference in building a true security posture within one’s business.

Look, all the money spent on cutting-edge PCI DSS security solutions for retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses mean little to nothing if you don’t have well-trained employees who know how to use such tools, and how to respond to incidents and other threats. We live in a highly digitized world, and we’re becoming even more reliant on information security, so do yourself and your business a favor by implementing sound security awareness training practices. You don’t have to spend a fortune on PCI security awareness training materials – not at all – simply use our well-written, easy-to-use PPT presentations and manuals that provide comprehensive, current, and factual training modules for all your employees. Remember, employees are an organization’s greatest asset, so treat them with respect, and also give them the tools they need to succeed which begins by downloading the PCI Policy Packets for retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses.

6. Perform Scanning: Vulnerability scanning is one of the core mandates for becoming PCI DSS compliant for retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses and it’s easy to see why. Think about it, malicious hackers and other nefarious individuals are often trying to penetrate your network at any given time. Because of this, the use of vulnerability scanners allows an organization to identify and assess possible threat vectors from the outside, but also from the inside. And while vulnerability scanning is a strict PCI compliance mandate imposed on many of the SAQ questionnaires, it’s an information security best practice that every business should be performing, regardless of industry, size, location, or compliance requirement. Threats often start at the external perimeter points of a network, thus identifying these issues is critical for ensuring the safety and security of one’s network.

Vulnerability scanning needs to become one of the core InfoSec initiatives that you implement as it’s so incredibly essential for protecting one’s network. Therefore, invest in a long-term solution for vulnerability scanning, perform such scans on a regular basis, assess and remediate adverse findings. Acquiring nothing more than a trial tool for a limited time, running scans just for purposes of meeting compliance – or any other haphazard approach – approaches we often see as compliance auditors, is not what you need to be doing. Take the time to truly implement a credible tool and run scans regularly!

7. Know that PCI DSS Compliance is Mandatory and Annual: Forget about the “one-and-done” concept as this is not geared towards PCI DSS compliance. Once you’ve achieved initial PCI DSS compliance, then annual compliance becomes the new moving target. You’ve got to continually update and enhance your policies, procedures, and processes – initiatives that take time and effort. It’s therefore important to find a true PCI DSS “Champion” within your organization, somebody who truly understands the importance of annual PCI compliance, and who can also push forward the mandates for staying compliant. Furthermore, this person must be able to work with both internal personnel and external parties for ensuring all aspects of compliance are being met.

That’s a tough job, no question about it, and it’s why businesses all around the world turn to pcipolicyportal.com and downloading our industry leading PCI policies and procedures & PCI toolkits for helping assist in their annual compliance endeavors. Getting to the top of the PCI mountain is one thing, but staying there and fending off all of the challenges and risks that can knock you off the compliance mountain is another. You need good people, internally, those willing to drive the PCI mantra with force, so keep this in mind.

PCI Our PCI Toolkits save Businesses Thousands of Dollars on Compliance

Retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses must become compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), there is no other option. What compounds the challenges of PCI compliance for such merchants is the exhaustive workload needed for actually becoming compliant. Information security policies and procedures need to be developed, risk assessments need to be performed, security awareness training needs to be implemented, and much more. It’s enough to make your head spin, and it’s why pcipolicyportal.com has developed the world’s leading set of compliance policy documents for ensuring rapid and swift PCI DSS compliance.

From SAQ policy packets to award-winning PCI Compliance Toolkits for storefront merchants and the hospitality industry, pcipolicyportal.com can save you thousands of dollars and hundreds of operational man-hours in becoming PCI compliant. Businesses all around the world have used our award-winning PCI Compliance Toolkits for storefront merchants and the hospitality industry, so give us a try today. The documentation is available for instant download at pcipolicyportal.com for retailors, restaurants, and other retail storefront businesses

From coast to coast and all around the globe, when it comes to PCI policies and procedures and other essential compliance documents, the only name to know is pcipolicyportal.com.

PCI Compliance & Certification Best Practices for Hotels & Restaurants

Do you own or work at a hotel, restaurant, or some other type of storefront location? If so, then you know becoming complaint with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is essential. Data breaches and cybersecurity attacks are at an all-time high these days – there’s no denying this – so it’s time to get serious about ensuring the safety and security of consumer credit card information, and it all starts with having solid understanding of essential issues relating to PCI compliance and certification for hotels, restaurants, and other storefront organizations.

Download our PCI Compliant Toolkit Today and Save Thousands

Just a quick note before we get into the essential items on PCI compliance & certification for hotels and restaurants. Did you know that documentation – policies, procedures, and other essential materials – is often the most challenging and time-consuming aspect of becoming PCI DSS compliant? That’s right, and its why storefront businesses turn to Materdei Consulting, LLC as we offer the world’s leading PCI compliance toolkits and PCI policy packets for helping businesses save thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on PCI compliance. Our toolkits are available for dozens of different industries, so visit pcipolicyportal.com today to learn more.

1. Know Where Cardholder Data Resides: Before you can even begin to start asking yourself how do I become PCI compliant, you need to undertake a fact-finding mission for determining where and how exactly do you store, process, and transmit cardholder data. Hotels and restaurants are complex businesses that have many avenues of entry for credit card data, so keep this in mind. As for origins of entry of cardholder data for hotels, think of the following:

(1). Patrons booking online, thus is cardholder data stored in some type of relational database. (2). When patrons check in to the hotel, is cardholder data also stored in some type of relational database. (3). For other venues and services in the hotel – such as paid WIFI access, bars, restaurants, gift shops, valet parking, and other areas – where and how is cardholder data stored? (4). For any third-party service providers that you engage with, do such entities “touch” and ultimately store any cardholder data?

To make sure you cover all entry/origin points of cardholder data, it’s best to develop a credit card data flow chart that shows all scenarios and how such cardholder is stored. Also, remember to think about any hardcopy documentation that could contain cardholder data, such as receipts, etc.
For restaurants, consider the following: (1). When patrons pay for goods and services, does the swipe process of their credit card result in cardholder data being stored in-house? (2) For the main Point-of-Sale platform, is cardholder data stored on any systems?

2. Determine your EXACT Reporting Requirements: There are a dizzying array of PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) that merchants can use for “self-assessing” against that stated PCI standards. But that’s the problem that hotels and other traditional brick-and-mortar/storefront businesses have – which SAQ to choose, and just as important, can you even do an SAQ or do you need an actual Level 1 onsite assessment performed by a Payment Card Industry Qualified Security Assessor (PCI-QSA).

As for the SAQ vs. Level 1 onsite debate, most hotels and brick-and-mortar/storefront businesses will never come close to the transaction volume required to perform a Level 1 onsite assessment, but that may still not stop your clients and prospects from asking or even “demanding” one – it’s the politics of PCI, and you’ll just have to live with it.

As for which SAQ to choose, because most hotels and brick-and-mortar/storefront businesses have multiple entry points regarding cardholder data, SAQ D is often the default SAQ document to use. Yes, it’s lengthy and complex, but it’s generally the only reporting option allowed for these businesses. You’ll also need to keep in mind that SAQ D requires comprehensive PCI policies and procedures for becoming compliant, along with performing a risk assessment, implementing security awareness training, and many other initiatives – documentation we offer in our SAQ D Policy Packet that’s available for instant download today.

3. Get Help from an Expert: Many of the Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) can be incredibly time-consuming and challenging to complete, and it’s why you need to reach out to an expert, such as the PCI DSS professionals at Materdei Consulting, LLC. We offer fixed-fee services and solutions, beginning with a PCI DSS scoping & readiness assessment, information security policies and procedures writing, assistance with understanding and completing the applicable SAQ’s, and more.

Additionally, we offer services for helping identify software and hardware solutions, scanning and penetration testing vendors/services, and much more. Your PCI compliance initiatives don’t have to be an expensive, time-consuming, and challenging endeavor, so turn to the experts today. Call us at 424-274-1952, or email us at pci@pcipolicyportal.com to learn more today. We live in a world dominated by information technology and digital payments, ultimately making PCI DSS compliance an absolute mandate for merchants and service providers storing, processing, and/or transmitting cardholder data.

4. Remediate Critical Gaps and Deficiencies: One of the most time-consuming and challenging mandates is remediation – correcting the noted gaps found during a PCI DSS scoping & readiness assessment. We offer a wide-range of remediation services and solutions, such as the following:

Technical assistance with re-configuring system components.
PCI DSS policies and procedures writing.

5. Assess all Relevant Third-Party Providers: In today’s world of businesses, it seems as if almost every business is outsourcing a critical service/function to another entity, which is fine, but necessary due-diligence measures need to be in place. Specifically, you need to readily identify all third-party entities and what critical services they provide that could impact the safety and security of cardholder data. At a minimum, best practices should include the following: (1). Requesting certification of PCI DSS compliance from relevant third-parties. (2). Providing relevant third-parties with an annual information security due-diligence questionnaire that essentially covers core InfoSec domains, such as access control, change control, network security, etc.

6. Policies and Procedures are Critical: PCI compliance & certification for hotels and restaurants also requires that such entities develop comprehensive information security policies and procedures, and other related documents. With over fifty (50) stand-alone policy documents needed for PCI compliance, the amount of time and energy needed for such an exercise can be staggering indeed, and it’s why hotels and restaurants are using our comprehensive PCI policies and procedures and toolkits.

7. Operational Initiatives are Important: Do you implement annual security awareness training? Have you performed an annual risk assessment for identifying relevant risks, threats, and how to mitigate such issues? These are two (2) examples of things that must actually be done, above and beyond developing PCI policies and procedures. It’s just another clear example of how the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) are a healthy mixture of technical, security, and operational initiatives and why compliance can be such a time-consuming and challenging endeavor.

Rapid PCI DSS Compliance for Hotels & Restaurants Starts with our PCI Toolkits

Becoming PCI DSS compliant for hotels and restaurants can often be time-consuming, challenging, and frustrating – we more than understand – and it’s why we’ve worked hard in developing industry leading PCI policies and procedures, and other supporting compliance documentation. You can now save hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on costly PCI DSS initiatives just by downloading our PCI Policy Packets for Hospitality businesses. Included are all the essential policies, forms, templates, training documents, risk assessment materials, and more, needed for helping enable rapid compliance. Visit pcipolicyportal.com today, or contact us at pci@pcipolicyportal.com to learn more.

PCI Compliance for a Small Business – What you Need to know

PCI compliance for a small business can be incredibly expensive, both in time and money invested – but it doesn’t have to be, provided you have a strong understanding of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) requirements and how they affect your business. Unsure as to where to start for PCI compliance for a small business? Have you heard the negative press about the costs associated for small merchants and service providers? What you need is expert guidance and assistance in understanding the entire PCI DSS process from beginning to end, what it entails, and ultimately how to become PCI compliant quickly, comprehensively, and cost-effectively. And that’s exactly the roadmap pcipolicyportal.com is going to show you, so take note of the following steps and best practices for PCI compliance for a small business.

Our PCI Toolkits save Small Businesses Thousands of Dollars

Before you dive into our PCI compliance for small businesses list, please keep in mind that complying with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is often an incredibly time-consuming process due to large documentation needs. Specifically, small businesses need to have in place policies and procedures, security awareness training, risk assessment materials, and other essential forms – documents that can literally take dozens of hours to develop from scratch.

And perhaps you have policies and other security documentation in place, but is it relevant, well-written, factual, and up-to-date with the most current PCI DSS standards? If not, then our award-winning PCI Compliance Toolkits contain all the essential PCI DSS policies, procedures, forms, checklists, training material, risk assessment documents, and so much more for helping ensure rapid and complete PCI compliance. Visit pcipolicyportal.com today to learn more about our industry leading toolkits.

PCI Compliance for a Small Business – 10 Things to Know

1. Understand what PCI Really is. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) are a comprehensive set of prescriptive security mandates put forth and administered by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). Compliance can be tricky and challenging due in large part to not truly understanding the intent and overall technical framework of the actual PCI DSS standards. What’s more important to note for small businesses is that compliance with the PCI DSS standards is mandatory if you store, process, and/or transmit cardholder data, or have the ability to impact the security of cardholder data. Sounds like a lot to take in, and it is, but thankfully you can learn quite a bit about PCI DSS compliance by visiting pcisecuritystandards.org, the official website of the PCI SSC. You can also call us directly at 424-274-1952 and obtain vital information about becoming PCI compliant.

Also, keep in mind that enforcement regarding PCI DSS compliance is steadily growing, with notable fines being handed out to merchants and service providers who continuously ignore the mandates for annual compliance. Today’s world of growing cybersecurity threats and challenges are resulting in massive data breaches throughout North America – and the world – therefore, payment processors, gateways, ISO’s, acquiring banks – and others – are getting serious about PCI enforcement. The game has changed, and you need to become PCI compliant, and we can help.

2. Are you a Merchant or a Service Provider? PCI defines a merchant as the following: any entity that accepts payment cards bearing the logos of any of the five members of PCI SSC (American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard or Visa) as payment for goods and/or services. Note that a merchant that accepts payment cards as payment for goods and/or services can also be a service provider, if the services sold result in storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data on behalf of other merchants or service providers.

3. What’s your Level of Compliance? If you’re a merchant or service provider in the Level 2, 3, or 4 category, then you’ll most likely be able to self-assess against any number of the PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ). While self-assessing is generally easier, less expensive, and less time-consuming than an official Level 1 onsite assessment, they still can take time and be operationally challenging. Don’t let the phrase “self-assess” fool you into thinking the process is quick and easy – for most it may be – but for some, it can be incredibly challenging. You need help if you’re an organization that’s not too sure where to start, how to start, what to look for etc. Hopefully, you fall into a Level 2, 3, or 4, and hopefully you can make it through the entire PCI DSS SAQ process without needing much help. If you do need assistance, we offer fixed-fee pricing to assist.

4. Self-Assessment or Onsite Assessment? If you fall into the Level 1 category as a merchant or service providers, then you can fully expect to perform an actual onsite assessment with a Payment Card Industry Qualified Security Assessor – a PCI-QSA. The assessment process can take some time, and you’ve got to put in place a number of information security and operational policies, procedures, and processes. Just remember to start the process with a PCI DSS scoping & readiness assessment for ensuring the project gets off on the right track – trust us on this. Scope creep and other challenges can quickly start to surface if no meaningful upfront assessment work has been done to plan and prepare for the assessment with a QSA. And much like the PCI SAQ mandates, an onsite assessment will require organizations to have PCI policies and procedures in place, along with many other formalized processes.

5. Understand the importance of Remediation.  Every business – and we mean every business – has something they can be doing to better their overall operations and information security posture, especially small businesses. One of the very initiatives any small business can take in helping meet the rigorous mandates for PCI DSS compliance is correcting deficiencies and security weaknesses found during an organization’s initial assessment. From poor passwords to incorrectly configured firewalls, missing information security policies and procedures – and more – there’s always work to be done, and we can help!

6. Documentation is Critical. Probably the most taxing and time-consuming aspect of becoming compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is developing all the required information security policies and procedures. From Requirement 1 to Requirement 12, there are approximately fifty (50) different policy and procedure documents that need to be developed – all depending on which Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) you have to comply with. Such a task can take dozens of hours – often much more – and it’s why small businesses seeking assistance with PCI DSS compliance turn to pcipolicyportal.com. As the world’s leading provider of PCI DSS policies and procedures, pcipolicyportal.com offers a wide-array of policies, procedures, forms, checklists, templates, and much more, for becoming PCI DSS compliant.

7. Technical Remediation is Common. Yes it is, from enhancing password complexity rules to re-configuring firewalls, changing default settings on system components – and more – remediation is a way of life for many small businesses seeking to become PCI DSS compliant. If you have competent I.T. professionals on staff, then great, conquering the necessary technical remediation items is achievable, but if you don’t, then it’s time to hire an outside consultant, such as pcipolicyportal.com. Many small businesses struggle with making necessary technical/security changes, but it has to be done for ensuring full compliance.

8. You CAN Get Help, Just Ask! We’re here to help, and it’s not as expensive as one might think. We offer hourly consulting services that can purchased immediately in blocks of three (3) hours. Call and speak with us today at 424-274-1952 to learn more about our consulting services.

9. It is an Annual Commitment.  There is no such thing as “one-and-done” with PCI DSS compliance, not at all. Once you been asked to become compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, then officially say hello to the world of regulatory compliance and all that comes with it. For this reason alone, you’ll need to have in place well-written PCI policies and procedures, so get them today at pcipolicyportal.com.

10.Where to Begin? PCI compliance for small businesses begins by visiting pcipolicyportal.com and learning more about the actual Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) and how our industry leading documents help ensure rapid and complete compliance. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on PCI policies and procedures, and you also don’t have to spend large sums of money on costly consultants. All the information you need to know about PCI DSS is contained within the detailed PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) available for instant download today at pcisecuritystandards.org.

Our PCI DSS Toolkits Ensure Rapid and Complete Compliance

PCI compliance for small businesses can be successfully met by downloading any number of our industry leading PCI DSS toolkits, from the PCI SAQ policy packets to the comprehensive Platinum, Premier, Standard, and Starter packages. Researched and authored by regulatory compliance professionals with years of payments and cybersecurity expertise, our documentation – used in conjunction with the materials offered for download at the official PCI DSS website (pcisecuritystandards.org) – is all that’s needed. Visit pcipolicyportal.com today to learn more about PCI compliance for small businesses and how we can help.

PCI Compliance Certification for e-Commerce Merchants – Overview

PCI compliance certification for e-commerce merchants and websites is a strict mandate as these platforms are directly involved in the storage, processing, and/or transmission of cardholder data. With millions of e-commerce websites selling a myriad of products, services, and solutions to the general public, protecting consumer credit card information is absolutely paramount, and it’s why online businesses have been turning to pcipolicyportal.com since 2009 for industry leading consulting services and PCI policies and procedures & PCI policy templates. Are you an e-commerce merchant and need assistance with PCI DSS compliance, but don’t know where to start, then start here by learning about essential best practices for PCI compliance certification for e-commerce merchants, websites, and other portals that store, process, and/or transmit cardholder data.

Our e-Commerce PCI Toolkits save Merchants Thousands of Dollars

It’s important to note that a large element of being able to successfully comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is having all mandated policies and procedures in place. More specifically, we’re talking about documentation, such as policies, forms, checklists, and more, and that’s exactly what you’ll receive when instantly downloading the PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants at picpolicyportal.com. Authored by industry leading PCI DSS QSA’s, the toolkits contain all the essential ingredients for ensuring rapid and complete compliance with the PCI DSS standards. e-commerce merchants and website owners can now save hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on essential PCI compliance documents.

Our e-Commerce PCI Toolkits Include Much More than Just Policy Templates!

That’s right, not only will you receive hundreds of pages of professionally develop and well-written PCI policies and procedures, you’ll also receive high-quality security awareness training documentation (both a PCI security awareness training manual and PCI security awareness PPT training presentation), comprehensive risk assessment materials (because performing a risk assessment is a mandate for PCI compliance), and so much more. Our PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants will have you compliant in no time at all!

Important Points e-Commerce Merchants Need to Know

1. Use a PCI DSS Approved e-Commerce Provider: E-commerce merchants are selling more and more products on the web each and every day, thanks to the low cost of entry in building and launching an actual website with payment integration. Additionally, with sites such as Shopify and Volusion offering high-quality e-commerce sites, the ability to get a website up and running is now easier than ever. Thankfully, many of these e-commerce providers are not only PCI DSS compliant, but they also don’t allow you to store the cardholder data, thus removing a big degree of risk from your environment.

And there are many other players entering the market offering e-commerce solutions, so when possible, use these vendors instead of trying to build you own customized payment page. If you use these vendors, then you can become PCI compliant via PCI SAQ A, and we offer an easy-to-use SAQ A policy packet that’s available for instant download today.

2. Going Custom Requires Work: Sure, you get what you pay for, and if it’s customization you need for your e-commerce site, then this requires developers to build a site from scratch – on a proven framework, that is – but it also means the new platform will need to be assessed for PCI DSS certification, which ultimately means sourcing a proven PCI DSS expert for assisting with such endeavors. The more you are involved in the actual e-commerce website that’s responsible for storing, processing and/or transmitting cardholder data, then the larger you obligation is in becoming PCI DSS compliant. Simply stated, limiting your exposure to cardholder data allows e-commerce merchants to complete the annual SAQ A questionnaire versus the much-dreaded SAQ A-EP or SAQ D, which is the next topic on our list of discussion.

3. Which SAQ Do I use? E-commerce merchants only have three (3) Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) for which they can choose from: SAQ A, SAQ A-EP, or SAQ D, that’s it – nothing else – so forget about even looking at the other SAQ’s. As for SAQ A, SAQ A-EP, and SAQ D, here’s what you need to know:

• SAQ A: Card-not-present merchants (e-commerce or mail/telephone-order) that have fully outsourced all cardholder data functions to PCI DSS validated third-party service providers, with no electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the merchant’s systems or premises. Note: This is not applicable to face-to-face channels.

• SAQ A-EP: E-commerce merchants who outsource all payment processing to PCI DSS validated third parties, and who have a website(s) that doesn’t directly receive cardholder data but that can impact the security of the payment transaction. No electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the merchant’s systems or premises. Note: This is applicable only to e-commerce channels.

• SAQ D: SAQ D for Merchants: All merchants not included in descriptions for the above SAQ types

4. Policies and Procedures are Critical: Very critical, to be clear, as all companies having to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) must have documented information security policies and procedures in place. Imagine the time and effort needed for authoring such comprehensive documentation – dozens of hours indeed – and it’s why merchants and service providers turn to pcipolicyportal.com and instantly download our award-winning PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants.

If you’re into saving hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on complying with PCI DSS, then obtaining a set of high-quality, easy-to-use templates should be one of your very first steps. And the PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants contain much more than policy templates – that’s right – you’ll also receive well-written risk assessment materials, security awareness training documents, essential forms and checklists – and more – so visit pcipolicyportal.com today.

Perhaps you already have information security policies and procedures in place – great – but are they current, relevant, and can they effectively map back to the actual PCI DSS standards for all twelve (12) requirements? If not, then it’s time to look for some viable options in obtaining much-needed PCI policies and procedures templates.

5. Technical Remediation is Also a Necessity: PCI compliance is technical – no question about that – and because of this, you’ll often have to implement a number of technical solutions for ensuring compliance. For starters, you’ll need to ensure that the servers – specifically, the underlying O/S and the application(s) residing on the servers have been properly configured, provisioned, and hardened before deployment to a production environment. We’re talking application servers, database servers – any server deemed in-scope for the e-commerce platform. Luckily, there are a number of excellent web portals that provide industry leading configuration and administration guides, but our policy packets also offer hardening guides and checklists!

Other areas of remediation that we often find in e-commerce platforms are the following: (1). Implementing File Integrity Monitoring (FIM. (2). Using two-factor/multi-factor authentication for privileged access and remote access into systems. (3). Putting in place comprehensive audit logging and audit trails. (4). Ensuring that code reviews and a structured SDLC process is in place for any software developed that’s deployed onto the e-commerce platform.

The list for technical remediation can go on, so it’s important to find an expert to help guide you through the applicable SAQ document you’ve finally selected to use. Materdei Consulting, LLC provides hourly consulting services to e-commerce merchants, so contact us today to learn more about pricing and services.

6. Numerous Other Operational Initiatives are Mandatory: Have you performed a risk assessment lately? How about developing a comprehensive, real-world incident response plan? Trained your employees lately with industry leading security awareness training modules that discuss emerging threats and how to respond accordingly? As you can clearly see, compliance with PCI is much more than just writing policies and implementing security controls – sure that’s all important – but there’s also a number of operational mandates that need to be in place. And you can obtain all the necessary templates and documentation for successfully fulfilling these initiatives by purchasing our award-winning PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants.

7. Where to Begin? By visiting pcipolicyportal.com today and downloading any number of the industry leading, award winning toolkits, such as the PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants. Becoming compliant with the PCI DSS standards requires a healthy dose of policies, procedures, and processes – call them the 3 P’s – and we’ve got the templates, forms, checklists, and other materials for helping you succeed. Since 2009, pcipolicyportal.com has been the undisputed heavyweight champion when it comes to PCI policies and procedures and other related PCI compliance materials, so talk to the experts today – we can help.

8. Enforcement is for Real: Yes it is, as the growing cybersecurity landscape is creating a real sense of urgency in terms of e-commerce merchants securing their entire platform. Just look at the news each day and you’re sure to find an article or breaking story about yet another data breach that’s resulted in untold numbers of credit cards and/or customer data stolen. As for the payment processors, payment gateways, and acquiring banks, they’re getting very serious about PCI compliance enforcement, no question about it.

We’ve seen heavy fines being handed out to e-commerce merchants who simply fail to understand the fundamental importance of becoming – and staying – PCI DSS compliant. Don’t fall into this trap – do what you need to do for becoming and staying compliant each year. Sure, it can be tough, and it’s why anointing an internal PCI DSS “Champion” is more important than ever. Call them whatever you want – an advocate, a PCI enforcer – we use the term champion as it take a person with real resilience to accept such a challenge. After all, this person has to constantly ensure that policies, procedures, and processes are up-to-date, that personnel are following the mandated requirements for compliance, along with a laundry list of other items.

The Undisputed Global Leader for PCI Policies and Procedures

Businesses in need of comprehensive, well-written PCI policies and procedures turn to the PCI experts at Materdei Consulting, LLC. Available for immediate download, we offer numerous PCI policy templates and toolkits for sale, such as the award-winning PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants. As an incredibly comprehensive set of documents, the PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants contains all the essential ingredients for helping businesses obtain rapid PCI DSS certification. From policies and procedures to security awareness training materials, risk assessment forms, and more, you’ll save hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on PCI compliance.

Our e-Commerce PCI Toolkits save Merchants Thousands of Dollars

Nobody likes authoring PCI policies and procedures – trust us, we truly understand – and it’s why sourcing high-quality templates and other supporting documentation is so important. Since 2009, Materdei Consulting, LLC has been assisting merchants and service providers all throughout the globe by offering the finest PCI policies and procedures found anywhere today. Visit pcipolicyportal.com today and view our extensive library of products and solutions, which includes the PCI Policy Packet & Toolkit for e-commerce merchants. When you want compliance done right, it begins with professionally developed documentation that’s available from the global PCI experts at Materdei Consulting, LLC.

PCI SAQ A vs. A-EP Overview for e-Commerce Merchants

The PCI SAQ A vs PCI SAQ A-EP discussion seems to be a hot topic with many of today’s e-commerce merchants and for good reason. After all, for years, the vast majority of e-commerce merchants were able to successfully validate PCI DSS compliance by using the simple and easy-to-implement SAQ A guidelines. But that’s all changed as the bigger, meaner, and more complex SAQ A-EP has arrived on the scene. Call it the playground bully of PCI DSS compliance for e-commerce merchants as it’s causing a lot of headaches and sleepless nights.

PCI SAQ A vs A-EP – Which One to Use and Why?

Is the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) just trying to make life hard for e-commerce businesses – no – but it sure seems that way, doesn’t it. The old days of simply complying with SAQ A are long gone, so here’s what you need to know about SAQ A vs. A-EP from pcipolicyportal.com, the world’s leading authority and provider of PCI DSS Policies and Procedures and PCI Compliance Toolkits. From policies to risk assessment templates, security awareness training materials – and more – we are the unquestioned leader for PCI DSS compliance documentation. Visit pcipolicyportal.com to learn more.

Can you use SAQ A instead of SAQ A-EP? Good question, so first ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your company accept only card-not-present (e-commerce or mail/telephone-order) transactions?
• Is all processing of cardholder data entirely outsourced to PCI DSS validated third-party service providers?
• Do you NOT electronically store, process, or transmit any cardholder data on your systems or premises, but relies entirely on a third party(s) to handle all these functions?
• Have you confirmed that all third party(s) handling storage, processing, and/or transmission of cardholder data are PCI DSS compliant?
• For any cardholder data your company retains, is it ONLY on paper (for example, printed reports or receipts), and these documents are not received electronically?

SAQ A vs A-EP – The One BIG Question to Ask Yourself

Answered yes to the above questions – great – one more question left, and it’s the one question that’s unfortunately resulting in many e-commerce merchants having to assess against SAQ A-EP:

Do all elements of the payment page(s) delivered to the consumer’s browser originate only and directly from a PCI DSS validated third-party service provider(s)?

So what does “all elements of the payment page(s) delivered to the consumers’ browser” really mean? It means the following: That the payment page being served up to the end-user’s browser is a page developed, configured, secured, managed, and hosted by another entity, such as a payment processor, gateway, etc. It’s important to note that prior to the release of SAQ A-EP, many e-commerce merchants may have felt they were eligible for SAQ A because their web server does not store, process, or transmit cardholder data. As a result, these web servers failed to have sufficient security controls applied to them and now have become common targets for attackers as a means to compromise cardholder data. That being said, if all elements of the payment page(s) delivered to the consumer’s browser do NOT originate only and directly from a PCI DSS validated third-party service provider(s), then you CANNOT use SAQ A and must use SAQ A-EP – it’s just the cold hard truth.

Learn about the Different Payment Integration Platforms

With that said, you need to be aware of the following payment integration offerings/platforms:

Direct Post/Transparent Redirect: Direct Post or Transparent Redirect are essentially the same, which is a process involves one’s web platform that results in “serving up” a payment page including fields to capture cardholder data, with these fields posting the cardholder data directly to your payment gateway, thus bypassing your web server. While the form that capturing the cardholder data is effectively served up from your web server, the data, however, is sent directly to the payment gateway.

JavaScript: JavaScript is a programming language used to make web pages interactive. It runs on your visitor’s computer and doesn’t require constant downloads from your website. JavaScript is often used to create polls and quizzes.

iFrame: An iFrame is an inline frame used inside a webpage to load another HTML document inside it.
Hosted Page: A page that is developed, configured, secured, managed, and hosted by another entity, thus allowing consumers to enter cardholder data directly onto a secure server being hosted by an entity other than you.

Examples of e-commerce implementations addressed by SAQ A

• Merchant has no access to their website, and the website is entirely hosted and managed by a compliant third-party payment processor
• Merchant website provides an inline frame (iFrame) to a PCI DSS compliant third-party processor facilitating the payment process.
• Merchant website contains a URL link redirecting users from merchant website to a PCI DSS compliant third-party processor facilitating the payment process.

Download our SAQ A Policy Packet Today and Get Compliant!

Becoming compliant with SAQ A requires merchants to have documented policies and procedures in place, but developing such materials can often take considerable time and money, so the easy choice is to instantly download the SAQ A Policy Packet today from pcipolicyportal.com. Developed by industry leading PCI experts, the SAQ A Policy Packet contains all the essential policies, forms, and other material for helping merchants become PCI DSS compliant – quickly and cost-effectively.

Access our SAQ A-EP Policy Packet Today from pcipolicyportal.com!

Need to become compliant with SAQ A-EP, then you’ll need to develop a large number of policies and procedures, undertake security awareness training, perform a risk assessment, along with many other initiatives. The mandates for SAQ A-EP can be quite challenging as this is one of the more lengthier and complex Self-Assessment Questionnaires, and add to the fact of all the policies that are required, SAQ A-EP quickly becomes a task indeed. Luckily, you can have hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars by simply downloading the SAQ A-EP Policy Packet today from pcipolicyportal.com. Developed by one of North America’s longest licensed PCI-QSA’s, the SAQ A-EP Policy Packet contains all the policies, forms, checklist, and templates needed for becoming PCI compliant.  The SAQ A vs A-EP debate will surely continue, and pcipolicyportal.com will there to bring you the latest information and news.

PCI Compliance & Certification for Vending Machines – Overview

PCI compliance and certification for vending machines is essential as these physical containers are directly involved in the storing, processing, and transmitting of cardholder data. Additionally, because such machines are still unfortunately the target of malicious individuals – yes, people still like to steal Snicker bars, soft drinks, but now also credit card information – locking down and securing vending machines is critically important. What’s more, today’s vending machines are much more sophisticated than your old-school 1970’s & 1980’s devices that contained little to no electronic gadgetry in comparison with the now advanced digital containers found seemingly everywhere.

Rapid PCI Compliance with our PCI Policy Toolkits – Download Now

Just a quick note on the importance of policies, procedures, security awareness training, and other essential documentation for businesses that are seeking to become PCI DSS compliant. You need to remember that while the PCI DSS standards are without question technical in nature, there’s a large – and often overlooked – mandate for developing and implementing documentation. From policies and procedures to security awareness training, performing risk assessments, and more, you’ll need to put in place well-written documents, and it’s why we offer industry leading PCI Policy Compliance Toolkits for download at pcipolicyportal.com.

5 Important Things to Know Regarding PCI Compliance for Vending Machines

1. Who owns it? First and foremost, you need to ensure you have a solid understanding of who actually owns the vending machine. Why? Because most vending machines today are leased out to other entities for purposes of patron interaction. Think college campuses, bookstores, movie theatres, the mall – they don’t own the vending machines – rather, they’ve acquired them from food and beverage entities/distributors.

This is important because vending machines have what’s known in the world of PCI DSS compliance as a “shared responsibility”. Specifically, both the entity providing the vending machine and the facility where the vending machine is located must ensure the safety of cardholder data, thus BOTH organizations should perform an annual PCI compliance and certification assessment. Read below on items #2 and #3 for how this plays out in terms of “shared responsibility”.

2. Vendor Responsibilities: Are you the actual company that owns the vending machines being leased out to and/or on display at another businesses location, such as a college campus, gym, grocery store, etc.? If so, then you need to perform an actual Self-Assessment Questionnaire that address all applicable PCI DSS “Requirements” for which you are responsible for. If you are responsible for setting up, configuring, and maintain the vending machine, then the vast majority of the actual PCI DSS requirements for whichever SAQ you choose would be in scope. While the Point-of-Sale hardware affixed to the vending machines are not your responsibility in terms of PCI compliance, you do need to ensure such devices and software have gone through the various PCI specific programs for certification, such as PCI DSS, PA-DSS, etc.

So which questionnaire should be used for vending machines in terms of PCI DSS compliance – good question – and here’s our professional assessment on this issue:

First and foremost, you’ll need do understand which of the Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) you can and cannot actually even use for PCI compliance for vending machines, and here they are:

• SAQ A: Self-Assessment Questionnaire A is for “Card-not-Present Transactions” (i.e., e-commerce or mail/telephone orders), so this is NOT allowable for PCI compliance for vending machines.
• SAQ A-EP E-commerce merchants who outsource all payment processing to PCI DSS validated third parties, and who have a website(s) that doesn’t directly receive cardholder data but that can impact the security of the payment transaction. No electronic storage, processing, or transmission of any cardholder data on the merchant’s systems or premises. Applicable only to e-commerce channels, so this is NOT allowable for PCI compliance for vending machines.
• SAQ B: Merchants using only (1). Imprint machines with no electronic cardholder data storage; and/or (2). Standalone, dial-out terminals with no electronic cardholder data storage. Not applicable to e-commerce channels, thus if the vending machine uses an actual dial-out terminal, this SAQ could be used.
• SAQ B-IP: Merchants using only standalone, PTS-approved payment terminals with an IP connection to the payment processor, with no electronic cardholder data storage. Not applicable to e-commerce channels, thus if the vending machine uses an IP connection, this SAQ could be used.
• SAQ C-VT: Merchants who manually enter a single transaction at a time via a keyboard into an Internet-based virtual terminal solution that is provided and hosted by a PCI DSS validated third-party service provider. No electronic cardholder data storage. Not applicable to e-commerce channels. This is NOT allowable as credit cards are not entered into vending machines via any type of keyboard or virtual terminal.
• SAQ D: If you cannot find any type of fit for the above reference Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ), then SAQ D can be used as a last resort. Just remember that you’ll have to spend some time going through the entire questionnaire for determining which areas are in scope and which are NA.

3. On-site Locations: Are you the actual entity leasing or physically housing the vending machines, then you also need to become PCI DSS compliant for all applicable PCI DSS “Requirements” for which you are thus responsible for. While the vast majority of the PCI DSS “Requirements” would fall on the shoulders of the vendor owning the machines, general best practices would require you to comply with various aspects of Requirement’s 9 and 12 of the PCI DSS standards. Requirement 9 calls for addressing physical security controls, while Requirement 12 address information security policies and other business specific initiatives and best practices.

4. Dual Ownership of Controls Means Dual Compliance: As is the case with vending machines, often more than one entity is involved in the overall safety and security of the cardholder data being stored, processed, and/or transmitted, thus both parties (as there are generally just two) need to complete their own applicable SAQ documents. That is now abundantly clear, but it also means you’ll have to put in place comprehensive documentation for PCI DSS compliance.

5. Documentation is Essential: When we talk about documentation, we’re speaking about policies and procedures, along with other essential materials necessary for meeting PCI DSS compliance. This means businesses need an information security policy in place, will need to ensure employees undertake annual security awareness training, possibly perform a risk assessment, and more. The amount of time it takes to develop policies from scratch can be enormous, therefore, sourcing high-quality PCI DSS SAQ policies and procedures from a proven, trusted vendor is critical. As the leading provider of PCI DSS compliance services, pcipolicyportal.com offers a wide variety of PCI Policy Packets to choose from, such as SAQ policy templates to comprehensive PCI policy toolkits containing essential documentation for becoming compliant. Getting help when you need it is what makes us different from other companies, so visit pcipolicyportal.com today to learn more.

The Global Leaders for PCI DSS Compliance Policy Documents – Download Today

PCI DSS compliance for vending machines can get a little tricky in terms of scope and the requirements for documentation, such as the policies and procedures that need to be developed. Add to the fact that often more than one organization has responsibility for compliance, and the need for a PCI expert to assist you becomes quite clear. Materdei Consulting, LLC offers comprehensive PCI compliance consulting services, along with industry leading PCI policy toolkits, PCI policies and procedures, and other supporting documents for helping you become PCI compliant. Visit pcipolicyportal.com today to learn more about our products and services.

PCI Compliance Certification Basics and Best Practices for Small Businesses 

Need to become PCI DSS compliant? Have questions about PCI certification for Small Businesses? Get the answers you need regarding PCI compliance certification basics and best practices for merchants, service providers and other small businesses from Materdei Consulting, LLC. If you store, process, and or transmit cardholder data, then becoming compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is a strict mandate. Knowing where to begin in terms of PCI DSS compliance allows you to cross the finish line largely unscathed, so take note of the following PCI compliance certification basics and best practices for merchants, service providers and other small businesses:

Our PCI Toolkits save Small Businesses Thousands of Dollars on Compliance

Before we dive into the PCI certification list of best practices for small businesses, it’s important to note that documentation is a big part of PCI DSS compliance. Specifically, we’re talking about policies, procedures, security awareness training, risk assessments, and more. Developing this material can take literally hundreds of hours, and it’s why small businesses turn to pcipolicyportal.com as our PCI toolkits contain all the essential templates and forms for helping achieve PCI compliance in a rapid manner. Do you really have time to be writing policies and procedures from scratch? Do you really have the time and money for sourcing security awareness training materials and risk assessment documentation? I think we know the answer, so turn to the global PCI DSS experts today that offer PCI toolkits along with SAQ Policy Packets for instant download.

5 Essential Things Small Businesses Need to Know for Becoming PCI Compliant

1. Understand what PCI Compliance Actually Means: PCI compliance is a healthy mixture of technical, operational and business controls. It’s about ensuring the safety and security of cardholder data. That’s obvious, and you more than likely already know this, but keep in mind that it’s really about putting in place best practices in terms of I.T. controls, operational controls, and having extensive documentation in place. This “can” take time,

2. Are you a Merchant or a Service Provider? Well, what’s the difference, your very first question might be, and a good one indeed. Merchants are businesses that deal directly with cardholder data – specifically – they have services and solutions that directly facilitate a payment transaction, thus think of gas stations, online retailers, grocery stores – any type of business selling something in credit card present or credit card not present environment (i.e., e-commerce). As for service providers, there’s wide discretion as to what one is, but essentially it’s an organization that still has the ability to impact the safety and security of cardholder data, but doesn’t necessarily involve itself directly with credit card transactions/payment services. Think data centers, managed services providers, and others.

3. What’s Your Merchant or Service Provider Level? Another good question, and here’s what you really need to know without getting into specific details: the vast majority of merchants and service providers throughout North America can effectively validate annual PCI DSS compliance via any number of the PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ). Why? Because most businesses simply do not – and will never – meet the transaction threshold for credit cards to put them into the category of an official Level 1 onsite audit by a Payment Card Industry Qualified Security Assessor (PCI-QSA) – and that’s a good thing!

4. Know that Documentation is Critical: When we talk about documentation in the world of PCI DSS compliance, we’re talking about the large number of PCI policies and procedures that need to be developed, along with other supporting materials. From Requirement 1 to Requirement 12 of the actual PCI DSS standards, dozens of policies, procedures, and other essential documents need to be developed – there’s simply no way around it. Additionally, add to the list the requirements of security awareness training, performing a risk assessment, implementing an incident response plan – and more – and you can clearly see that the hours for developing such materials begins to quickly add up. Perhaps you have policies and procedures in place – that’s great – but are they current, relevant, and can they be mapped to the actual PCI DSS framework? Tough questions, but it’s also why small businesses turn to the PCI experts at Materdei Consulting, LLC when it comes to acquiring the very best PCI policies and procedures for enabling rapid compliance.

A well-written, factual and comprehensive set of information security policies and procedures goes a long way in not only greatly aiding with PCI DSS compliance, but also in helping meet other regulatory compliance reporting mandates. And probably more important than anything is the ability for policies and procedures to help guide employees in understanding their daily operational roles and responsibilities within an organization. Remember, knowledge is power, and well-developed information security policies – and other essential documentation – gives you that power. Visit pcipolicyportal.com to learn more about our industry leading PCI DSS policies, templates, and toolkits for merchants and service providers.

5. Risk Assessments are Essential: We just spoke about the importance of performing an annual risk assessment. Remember, it’s a mandate for PCI DSS compliance for many businesses, but it’s also a best practice that every small business should be performing. Think about it, how can you continue to grow and create revenue along with long-term viability if you have no real idea about the threats, issues, and constraints facing your business? Additionally, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on high-priced risk assessment software, simply use our comprehensive and easy-to-follow risk assessment template that’s included within the PCI Policy Toolkits available for instant download today.

The world is more complex and challenging than ever before – that we can all agree on – thus the importance of assessing risks to one’s organization is absolutely critical. Financial risks, external risks, information security risks – there’s a healthy number of risk categories to pick and choose from – and we provide them all. Saving thousands of dollars and dozens of hours on PCI risk assessments for small businesses is easier than ever. And the same goes for everything else you need for PCI compliance – we have it all available in an easy-to-use toolkit!

The Global Leader for PCI DSS Policies & Toolkits – Learn More

Both merchants and service providers are fighting a fierce battle every day in the business world as competition is lurking around every corner. Margins are getting thinner and your competitors are getting more aggressive. Add to the fact that compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is now a regulatory compliance mandate, it’s enough to drive businesses into the red. There has to be a better way for managing and facilitating regulatory compliance, particularly with the PCI DSS standards, and there is! It starts by visiting pcipolicyportal.com and downloading any number of our industry leading, award-winning PCI policy and compliance toolkits and PCI-SAQ policy packets.

Hey, time is money, we understand that, and it’s why Materdei Consulting, LL launched pcipolicyportal.com in 2009 – to provide the very best PCI policies and procedures found anywhere – and we’ve succeeded! We’ve sold thousands of PCI Policy Toolkits to businesses all around the globe, so visit pcipolicyportal.com today.
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PCI DSS Compliance & Certification Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado

In need of assistance with PCI DSS compliance in Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder – or any other surrounding area within the state of Colorado? Then talk to the experts today at Materdei Consulting, LLC by visiting pcipolicyportal.com today. We offer industry leading PCI DSS policies and procedures and templates for helping ensure rapid and complete compliance in accordance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).

Additionally, Materdei Consulting also provides a wide array of PCI DSS specific services, such as scoping & readiness assessments, policy writing services, assistance with completing the PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ), help with sourcing all necessary compliance tools (i.e., software security tools, scanning services, and more), and other essential services and solutions. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) are here to stay, so becoming compliant is a must, and we can help you ever step of the way.

Becoming Compliant is Quick and Easy with our PCI Policy Toolkits

One of the biggest – and most time-consuming – aspects of PCI DSS compliance is developing all the mandated information security policies and procedures. Documentation is a big part of today’s growing regulatory compliance mandates, with the PCI DSS standards being one of the most formidable. Saving time and money with policies begins by downloading our industry leading PCI Policy Packets at pcipolicyportal.com. Colorado has a booming technology sector – no question about it – which means there’s a tremendous amount of companies involved in storing, processing, and transmitting cardholder data, which also ultimately means they’ll need to become PCI DSS compliant. The solution for rapid and comprehensive compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) begins by visiting pcipolicyportal.com and downloading our high-quality PCI Policy Packets, available for dozens of various industries.

Save Thousands of Dollars on PCI Compliance with our Toolkits

Our toolkits –available for instant download at pcipolicyportal.com for Colorado businesses – contain much more than policy templates – that’s right – they also include award-winning, easy-to-use and implement security awareness training documents, risk assessment materials, third-party vendor management documents, and so much more. PCI compliance for Colorado businesses is much more than just writing policies, it’s also about implementing mandated initiatives that help ensure the safety and security of cardholder data. Need a risk assessment template? We’ve got that covered. How about a comprehensive security awareness training packet for educating employees on emerging security issues, threats, and best practices? We’ve got you covered on that also. How about monitoring your third-party providers who touch cardholder data? Yep, have that covered also.

The Importance of PCI Policies and Procedures & Policy Templates

If you’re a Colorado business and looking to become PCI DSS compliant without all the headaches and costly fees, then consider talking to the experts today at Materdei Consulting, LLC as we offer the very best set of PCI policy templates and compliance toolkits available anywhere today. Visit pcipolicyportal.com to learn more today. Do you need assistance complying with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS)? Do you need help in authoring high-quality, industry leading information security policies and procedures? Whatever your PCI DSS needs are, turn to the experts at  Materdei Consulting, LLC by visiting pcipolicyportal.com today.

Talk to the PCI DSS experts today at Materdei Consulting, LLC by visiting pcipolicyportal.com today. Regardless of the industry, size, or location of your business, we’ve got you covered with the very best information security policies, procedures, forms, training material, risk assessment documentation, and much more. Call us today at 424-274-1952 to learn more.

PCI Compliance Services Offered to Colorado Businesses

PCI DSS services offered to businesses in Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder – along with all other areas throughout Colorado – consist of a wide-range of solutions, from PCI DSS readiness assessments, policy writing, technical remediation, assistance with completing any number of the Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) and much more. Additionally, all our services are priced at fixed-fees, and our industry leading PCI Compliance Toolkits are available for instant download today at pcipolicyportal.com. When it comes to PCI DSS compliance, we offer the following services and solutions to Colorado merchants
and service providers:

1. PCI DSS Readiness Assessments: Gaining a strong understanding of the PCI DSS mandates for Colorado businesses begins with performing a comprehensive readiness assessment; an essential activity for helping determine PCI DSS scope, deficiencies and gaps, along with other critical information. Don’t look at a readiness as just another fee for PCI DSS compliance, rather, look at it as a highly effective initiative for helping create long-term efficiencies and savings in terms of PCI DSS compliance.

Look, if you’re new to PCI DSS compliance, it can be an incredibly daunting and challenging mandate, no question about it. The smart, practical approach is to retain the services of a professional and let an expert guide you through the entire process by beginning with a comprehensive, yet brief and cost-effective PCI DSS scoping & readiness assessment. Trust us on this, you’ll save hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on becoming PCI DSS compliant in the long run. Short-cutting PCI compliance is not recommended, so email us at pci@pcipolicyportal.com to discuss our services.

2. Information Security Policies and Procedures Writing: We specialize in what’s arguably the most demanding and time-consuming aspect of PCI DSS compliance – authoring information security policies and procedures. With over 50 different policy documents mandated for PCI DSS compliance, who really has the time to spend authoring such documents – not many companies – and it’s why they turn to us for expert policy writing at a cost-effective, fixed fee. Documentation is a large part of PCI compliance, so let the experts author your policies today! We’ve been helping Colorado businesses in saving a tremendous amount of money, time, and headaches when it comes to PCI policies and procedures.

Along with offering PCI policies and procedures, our industry leading PCI compliance toolkits also contain useful materials for implementing a security awareness training program, an annual risk assessment platform, along with many other measures. In short, PCI DSS compliance is much more than just policies and procedures, it’s about implementing various initiatives for becoming compliant, and that’s exactly what our documentation offers to both merchants and service providers throughout North America. Think of the time and money saved by not having to invest in costly security awareness training or risk assessment software – it’s already included in our packets!

3. Assistance with PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Completion: The vast majority of merchants and service providers in the greater Denver, Colorado area can actually “self-assess” with the current Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) via the Self-Assessment Questionnaires. While it’s not a Level 1 onsite assessment by a PCI-QSA, the SAQ’s do require quite a bit of work, and it’s why we offer Colorado merchants and service providers comprehensive solutions for meeting the needs of our clients. Remember that the SAQ’s require a healthy amount of documentation (i.e., information security policies and procedures) for compliance, and it’s why businesses turn to the experts at Materdei Consulting, LLC. Visit pcipolicyportal.com today to learn more.

4. Vendor Selection Assistance for all other Necessary PCI DSS Compliance Tools: Many of the actual 12 PCI DSS requirements – which contain a total of approximately 300 tests of controls for compliance – require various software tools & utilities to be in place. This can be an incredibly time-consuming process, both the vendor selection and the tool implementation, so there’s got to be a better way, right? Yes, let the experts at Materdei Consulting, LLC, help identity and source all the necessary tools and the respective vendors offering such services. Time is money – as the old saying goes – so turn to the experts at Materdei Consulting, LLC, for expert guidance on vendor selection.

5. Continuous Monitoring Activities: Once the initial PCI DSS certification has been achieved – either by self-assessing or through a Level 1 onsite assessment by a PCI-QSA – then the real work begins as both merchants and service providers in Colorado will need to engage in continuous monitoring efforts. What is “continuous monitoring”, it’s the initiatives undertaken by Denver businesses for ensuring their policies, procedures, and processes are monitored and assessed on a regular basis. While it’s an information security best practice every company should be doing, it also helps tremendously in terms of annual PCI certification. Visit pcipolicyportal.com today to learn more.

Colorado’s Leading Provider of PCI Compliance Toolkits and Consulting

pcipolicyportal.com is the unquestioned leader when it comes to compliance solutions for North America businesses, so contact us today learn about our services and solutions for Colorado businessses. Wherever your environment is physically/logically located – from Amazon to Azure, or a traditional data center/co-location facility, we have the services, solutions, and documentation for helping you become compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), so visit pcipolicyportal.com today to learn more. Regulatory compliance isn’t fun – that we all know – so it’s time to turn to the trusted experts who’ve been helping merchants and service providers all throughout Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado since 2009 in becoming PCI DSS compliant. Need to talk, then call us at 424-274-1952 now.

Need a Level 1 Onsite Audit by a QSA? – We can help

Additionally, if you’re in need of a proven Payment Card Industry Qualified Security Assessor (PCI-QSA), then contact PCI-QSA Charles Denyer at cdenyer@ndbcpa.com. He and his staff at NDB Advisory are well-versed in PCI DSS compliance, offering numerous services and solutions for helping merchants and service providers in the greater Denver, Colorado area become compliant, quickly, comprehensively, and cost-effectively.