Any organisation that accepts, processes, stores or transmits payment card information is required to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) standards. This includes merchants, service providers, and other entities that handle payment card information.
The PCI DSS standards were developed by the major credit card companies to protect sensitive payment card information from theft and fraud. The standards apply to all types of payment card transactions, including credit, debit, and prepaid cards.
Organisations that must comply with PCI DSS standards may include:
- Merchants: Any business that accepts payment cards for goods or services, including online merchants and brick-and-mortar stores.
- Service providers: Companies that provide services to merchants, such as payment processors, payment gateways, and web hosting providers.
- Financial institutions: Banks and other financial institutions that issue payment cards or process payment transactions.
PCI DSS compliance requirements vary depending on the level of payment card transactions and the specific role of the organisation in handling payment card information. The PCI DSS standards consist of 12 requirements that cover areas such as network security, access control, data protection, and monitoring.
It is important for organisations to achieve and maintain PCI DSS compliance to protect sensitive payment card information and to avoid potential financial and reputational damage resulting from data breaches or other security incidents.
Why you should care about PCI compliance
Achieving and maintaining PCI DSS compliance is essential for any organisation that handles payment card information, as non-compliance can lead to:
– fines and penalties
– loss of business
– legal action
– reputational damage
When sensitive payment card information is stolen or compromised due to inadequate security measures, organisations can face a loss of trust and credibility with their customers, which could negatively impact their bottom line.
Data breaches or other security incidents can lead to the exposure of sensitive payment card information, such as credit card numbers, names, and addresses, which can be used for fraudulent activities such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and other malicious activities. The repercussions of a data breach can be costly, not only in terms of monetary losses but also in terms of damage to the organisation’s reputation and customer trust.
PCI Compliance for Data Centres
Data centres are often used by organisations that process, store, or transmit payment card information, and as such, they are subject to PCI DSS requirements to protect the sensitive data. Failure to comply with the PCI DSS standards can result in penalties, fines, or even the loss of the ability to process credit card transactions.
Some of the key requirements for PCI DSS compliance in data centres include:
- Secure physical access controls: Implementing appropriate physical access controls to restrict access to data centre facilities to authorised personnel only.
- Network security: Implementing secure network configurations and firewalls to protect payment card data from unauthorised access and potential breaches.
- Secure data storage: Implementing secure data storage controls, including encryption and access controls, to protect payment card data at rest.
- Regular security testing: Conducting regular security testing and vulnerability assessments to identify potential security risks and ensure security controls are functioning as intended.
- Incident response and monitoring: Implementing incident response and monitoring procedures to detect and respond to security incidents in a timely manner.
Overall, PCI compliance for data centres is critical to ensure the security of payment card information and to protect against potential data breaches and other security threats.
Protecting your data with Zella DC
Our micro data centres are designed to prioritise security, incorporating both physical and cyber security measures to safeguard your company’s assets and sensitive data, while also ensuring adherence to PCI compliance standards.
Cyber Security
- Encryptions: We only enable secure encrypted communication by default (HTTPS and SSH). We use the strongest encryption in the industry.
- Password policies: Password expiration ensures passwords getting refreshed periodically, preventing hackers from accessing the Zella DC from any known security breaches.
- Firewalls: IP-Based Access control Lists (IP ACL) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
- Defences in Depth: Blocking access after repeated failed login, timing out inactive sessions, limiting use of same login, restricted service agreement warnings.
- Certificates: CA Certificates and Self-Signed Certificates.
Physical Security
- Robust steel exterior – made from strong, 2mm, powder-coated mild steel
- Centralised door operation – remote door monitoring provides total control over who has access to the MDC.
- Keypad / Card access with dual authentication – with strict access protocols and access tracking.
Advanced Automations & Monitoring
- Remotely monitor and manage in real-time.
- Automate responses to events and threats.
- Automated security testing.
Protecting Sensitive Information
PCI DSS compliance is a critical requirement for any organisation that handles payment card information. The standards were developed to protect sensitive payment card data from theft and fraud, and failure to comply with these standards can result in severe financial and reputational damage. Data centres that process, store or transmit payment card information must adhere to the specific PCI DSS requirements to ensure the security of the sensitive data they handle.
All our products are designed with both physical and cyber security measures to safeguard company assets and sensitive data, while also ensuring adherence to PCI compliance standards. By prioritising security and compliance, organisations can protect themselves from potential data breaches and security threats, while maintaining the trust of their customers.
