PCI DSS Policy
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Purpose
This policy aims to establish and maintain standards to protect cardholder data, ensure adherence to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and safeguard our organization’s information systems.
Scope
This policy applies to all [Company Name] personnel, systems, and processes involved in handling cardholder data and maintaining the security of our network.
Policy Statement
[Company Name] is committed to protecting cardholder data and ensuring compliance with PCI DSS standards. This policy explains the requirements and guidelines necessary to safeguard payment card information and maintain the highest level of data security.
Definitions
PCI DSS: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, a set of security standards designed to protect payment card information.
Cardholder Data (CHD): Information associated with a payment card, including the primary account number (PAN), cardholder name, expiration date, and service code.
Sensitive Authentication Data (SAD): Information used to authenticate payment card transactions, including magnetic stripe data, CVV2/CVC2, and PINs. There are twelve PCI-DSS Requirements according to PCI DSS version 4 as follows:
1. Firewall Configuration and Maintenance
- Firewalls must be installed at the boundaries of our cardholder data environment and between any untrusted networks and internal networks. Configuration must follow industry best practices to restrict all traffic except that which is explicitly allowed.
- Firewall configurations must be reviewed quarterly to ensure they remain effective and compliant with PCI DSS requirements.
- Firewall rules must be documented, and any changes must be approved and logged.
2. Vendor-Supplied Defaults
- Default passwords and other security parameters provided by vendors must be changed before systems are deployed in the production environment.
- Default settings for all system components must be altered to prevent vulnerabilities associated with vendor defaults.
- A list of all vendor-supplied defaults and their respective changes must be maintained and reviewed periodically.
3. Protection of Stored Cardholder Data
- Stored cardholder data must be encrypted using strong encryption methods.
- Access to stored cardholder data must be restricted based on business needs and approved by management.
- Cardholder data must not be stored for longer than necessary. Procedures for secure data disposal must be in place.
4. Encryption of Transmission Across Open Networks
- Cardholder data transmitted across open, public networks must be encrypted using industry-standard encryption protocols (e.g., TLS, SSL).
- Encryption settings must be reviewed and updated regularly to make sure that they comply with the latest security standards.
- All encrypted transmissions must be monitored to detect and respond to any potential issues.
5. Protect All Systems Against Malware and Regularly Update Anti-Virus Software or Programs
- Anti-virus software must be installed on all systems that handle cardholder data, including servers, workstations, and mobile devices.
- Anti-virus definitions and signatures must be updated regularly, at least daily. Where automatic updates are not possible, manual updates must be performed at least weekly.
- Regular malware scans must be conducted on all systems. Scheduled scans should occur at least weekly, with on-demand scans available as needed.
6. Secure Systems and Applications Development
- Secure coding practices must be incorporated into the software development lifecycle, including regular code reviews and vulnerability assessments.
- All system components and applications must be updated with security patches in a timely manner to address vulnerabilities.
- Changes to systems and applications must follow a formal change control process, including risk assessment and testing.
7. Restrict Access to Cardholder Data by Need-to-Know
- Access to cardholder data must be restricted based on the business need-to-know principle and authorized by management.
- Role-based access controls must be implemented to ensure that employees only have access to cardholder data necessary for their job functions.
- Access permissions must be reviewed regularly to make sure they are still valid and appropriate.
8. Identification and Authentication of Access to System Components
- All users must be uniquely identified and authenticated before accessing system components. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is required to access sensitive areas.
- User accounts must be created, managed, and deactivated in accordance with established procedures.
- Authentication attempts must be logged and monitored for unauthorized access.
9. Restrict Physical Access to Cardholder Data
- Access to physical locations where cardholder data is stored or processed must be restricted to authorized personnel only.
- Physical access controls (e.g., locks and key cards) must be implemented and maintained.
- All visitors to secure areas must be logged, and their access must be monitored.
10. Track and Monitor All Access to Network Resources and Cardholder Data
- All access to network resources and cardholder data must be logged. Logs must include user identification, access times, and the actions performed.
- Logs must be reviewed regularly to aid the effort of identifying and responding to potential security incidents.
- An incident response plan must be in place to address any issues identified through logging and monitoring.
11. Regular Testing of Security Systems and Processes
- Regular vulnerability scans must be conducted to identify and address security weaknesses.
- Penetration tests must be performed at least yearly and after significant changes to the environment.
- Results from security tests must be documented and reviewed to ensure timely remediation.
12. Information Security Policy for All Personnel
- An information security policy must be developed and maintained to address all aspects of security relevant to PCI DSS compliance.
- All personnel must receive training on the security policy and their role in maintaining information security.
- The information security policy must be reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in the security landscape.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Compliance Officer: Responsible for overseeing PCI DSS compliance and ensuring that all security measures and policies are followed.
- IT Security Team: Responsible for implementing and maintaining technical controls, monitoring network activity, and conducting vulnerability assessments.
- All Employees: Responsible for adhering to security policies and procedures, reporting security incidents, and participating in training sessions.
Training and Awareness
- All employees will receive regular training on PCI DSS requirements and data security best practices.
- Employees will be informed of any updates to this policy and provided with additional training as necessary.
Incident Response
- A formal incident response plan will be maintained to address any potential data breaches or security incidents involving cardholder data.
- All incidents must be reported immediately to the Compliance Officer and documented in accordance with the incident response plan.
Policy Review and Updates
- This policy will be reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in PCI DSS requirements, industry best practices, or organizational changes.
- Any significant updates to this policy will be communicated to all employees and relevant stakeholders.
Enforcement
- Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, and legal consequences.
- [Company Name] reserves the right to perform audits and assessments to ensure adherence to this policy.
Review and Revision
To ensure continued compliance with PCI DSS requirements and to address any changes in our environment or operations, this policy will be reviewed at least annually and updated as needed.
Reference
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