[BreachExchange] 10 Best Components of a PCI Compliance Checklist to Protecting the Customer Information

[Destry Winant]

https://gbhackers.com/pci-compliance-checklist/

Customers are looking for services and products that they believe are
suitable to them. At the same time, these people expect safer and
secure means for executing their transactions.

While that is the case, businesses need to ensure their customers’
information remains protected.  For that to happen, the following
components of a PCICompliance Checklist must be met.

1. Firewall Installation

Customers information should be protected from unauthorized access
irrespective of the entry method, whether its e-commerce, e-mail
access, or even wireless networks. Firewall is important as it helps
in blocking any transmissions which do not meet the specified security
criteria for the business.

2. Restrict Access to Data

Access to customer data should only be allowed one a need-to-know
basis. Therefore, processes and systems must be implemented to ensure
limited access. That way, access can be allowed at a minimum level to
avoid data compromise.

3. Protect Cardholder Data

There are various processes which can be utilized in protecting the
sensitive data of your customers: truncation, encryption, masking, and
hashing. These can become a crucial component of the cardholder data
protection plan for the business. Moreover, as a business, you need to
ensure that cardholder data is not stored unless necessary.

4. Create and Maintain Security Applications

Hackers and intruders utilize security vulnerabilities and system
loopholes to obtain privileged access to the sensitive data of the
customer. These vulnerabilities can be remediated using security
applications, and should be installed by people assigned to manage the
systems.

  5.Tracking and Monitoring

You can also track and monitor the access to cardholder data and
network resources. System traces, log files, or any other tools which
enable the tracking of access to customer data is crucial in
detecting, preventing, or minimizing a breach. Logs available enables
the tracking, alerting, and analysis of intrusions when they happen.
It can be practically impossible for one to identify and remediate
system or data breach without these logs.

6. Test Security Systems Regularly

Vulnerabilities of systems are discovered constantly as time goes by.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that all processes, systems, and
software are tested to validate their strength.

7.  Restrict Physical Data Access

The physical access to systems and data must be completely restricted.

8. Identify and Authenticate Access

It’s essential to assign unique credentials for the identification of
every individual who has access to the customers’ sensitive data. That
way, you’ll be in a position to ensure every individual is held
accountable for their actions. This also ensures the availability of
levels of traceability.

9.  Encrypt Data Transmission Across Public Networks6.

Sensitive data belonging to the cardholder should be encrypted during
transmission over the public networks. Most attackers target these
open and public spaces due to their visible nature. As a result, they
are able to gain unauthorized access.

10.  Maintain the Information Security Policy

This kind of policy allows the employee to understand what the
business expects of them. Employees need to be aware of the
sensitivity of data as well as their responsibility for protecting
such information.

Conclusion

The above are the ten important component of PCI compliance checklist
you need to have in mind. You can also visit
https://ivrnet.com/over-the-phone-credit-card-fraud-pci-compliance-guide-for-business-and-government
for a comprehensive PCI compliance guide