When the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) was formed in 2006 to better oversee the changes in PCI security standards, it was commissioned to discover ways to continually improve payment account security. Within this framework, the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) contains the requirements all companies must adhere to to securely store, transmit or process customers credit card data.

Achieving this compliance can be challenging for many businesses.Yet, if your business does not follow basic security steps outlined in PCI DSS, weaknesses can be exploited and enable fraudulent access to cardholders' credit card data, according to PCI Compliance Guide. 

If your business accepts credit card payments, you are required  to maintain PCI standards to protect your business and your customers. 

"While it is no easy process, remaining PCI ... compliant enables merchants to take a comprehensive look and evaluation of existing security measures and operational procedures," PYMNTS.com writes. "This eye-opening experience can offer enhanced protection of the payment processing system, as well as solidifying a merchant's reputation."

Contact Vantage today to learn more about PCI services to help keep card data safe and in compliance with PCI security standards. Vantage customers have access to ControlScan's PCI 1-2-3 Compliance solution, which is customized to make it easier for merchants to validate their security measures. This solution provides merchants with the support and tools needed to maintain compliance with PCI standards. Some of these tools include SmartSAQ, SmartScan and Specialized Support. Visit our website at www.vantagecard.com/pci for more information.