PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is an industry-wide security standard governing the safe handling of credit card data. Any organisation processing, storing, or transmitting payment card information must comply with PCI requirements, making it essential for PixelForce when developing e-commerce, subscription, or payment-processing applications. Non-compliance exposes organisations to significant fines from payment processors, potential loss of payment processing privileges, and liability if customer data is compromised. Understanding and implementing PCI requirements is fundamental to building secure payment systems.
Core PCI DSS Requirements
The PCI DSS framework encompasses twelve core requirements covering network security, cardholder data protection, and vulnerability management. Firewalls must protect systems handling cardholder data, with strict inbound and outbound rules. Encryption is mandatory for cardholder data in transit using strong cryptography and secure protocols. Default credentials must be changed on all systems, with unique user IDs and strong authentication mechanisms implemented. Restricted physical access ensures only authorised personnel can access systems storing payment data. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing identify security weaknesses before attackers exploit them. Security policies must be documented, communicated, and enforced across the organisation.
Payment Processing Architecture
PixelForce implements PCI-compliant payment processing by using tokenisation and payment gateways, ensuring the application never directly handles cardholder data. Payment gateways like Stripe, Square, or Authorize.net are PCI-certified processors responsible for secure cardholder data handling. Applications transmit card information to these gateways using secure APIs, receiving tokens in return that represent the payment method without exposing sensitive details. This approach significantly reduces PCI scope - applications process tokens rather than actual credit card numbers, making compliance substantially easier and more affordable than building custom payment processing systems.
Data Storage and Handling
Applications must minimise cardholder data storage. Never store sensitive authentication data such as CVV codes, magnetic stripe data, or PIN numbers - even encrypted storage of this information violates PCI requirements. Card numbers should be stored only if necessary, and then only in encrypted form with access restricted to authorised personnel. Regular audits ensure no unnecessary cardholder data persists in development environments, logs, or backup systems. Database design should implement strong access controls, ensuring payment data is accessible only to systems that require it. Developers must avoid logging payment information, as logs often become audit targets during compliance reviews.
Compliance Levels and Assessment
PCI DSS defines four compliance levels based on annual transaction volume. High-volume merchants (over 6 million transactions yearly) require annual on-site assessments by qualified assessors. Medium-volume merchants (1-6 million transactions) may conduct assessments annually or quarterly. Lower-volume merchants can perform self-assessments through attestation questionnaires. PixelForce assists clients in determining their compliance level and implementing appropriate controls. Regular assessments ensure systems remain compliant as they evolve, vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, and security measures effectively protect customer data throughout the application's lifecycle.