Do you own a small business and worry about how to keep your customers’ card information safe? PCI compliance is a set of rules that all businesses must follow when they deal with credit card data.

This piece will talk about PCI rules for small businesses in easy-to-understand language. Find out how to keep your users’ and your own info safe.

Looking at PCI Compliance Levels for Companies

PCI compliance levels depend on how big the business is and how many transactions it does. Levels 2–4 are usually where small businesses belong. They have fewer rules than Level 1.

Level 1: Processors for Very Large Sets

Businesses that handle more than 6 million card transactions a year must comply with Level 1 PCI. There are strict rules that these big processors have to follow to keep customer info safe. A Qualified Security Assessor must check them out on-site once a year.

Also, an Approved Scanning Vendor needs to check their network every three months.

Security is a process, not a thing. — Bruce Schneier

Because they handle so much private data, big processors have to follow strict rules. This means keeping the network safe, keeping user info safe, and testing often.

Many small businesses are in a smaller compliance level, which means they have to follow fewer strict rules.

Two to four levels: small and medium merchants

Levels 2 through 4 of PCI certification are for small and medium-sized businesses. Based on the number of transactions each year, these amounts were set. Level 2 is for companies that handle between 1 and 6 million deals a year.

People who do between 20,000 and 1 million e-commerce deals a year are in Level 3. Level 4 is for all other sellers, usually those who do less than 20,000 online sales a year.

A Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is often what these smaller businesses need to do to be PCI compliant. Also, they might have to use an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) to do network checks every three months.

The exact rules depend on how they deal with card information. To meet standards, some may need to use point-to-point encryption or safe payment platforms. Some people may need to improve their point-of-sale tools or make their data security stronger.

Important PCI Compliance Requirements

Small businesses need to follow certain rules for PCI compliance. These rules keep payment methods and customer info safe.

Keep cardholder data safe

As part of PCI standards, you must keep customer info safe. Credit card numbers, names, and other private information must be kept safe by small businesses. For saved data, this means using strong encryption, and for transfers, it means using safe networks.

Also, only people who need it should be able to get to it.

A business should get rid of any card information that isn’t needed. Also, when they show it, they have to hide the main account number. Point-to-point encryption helps keep data safe while transfers are going on.

Hackers can’t get to weak spots until they are checked regularly.

Keeping customer info safe isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also about building trust. – No Name

Strong access control should be used.

A big part of PCI compliance is having strong accesscontrol. It means controlling who can see and use private information. Every person needs to have their own ID card. A lot of people should not be able to see account info either.

People who need it for work should be the only ones who can get to it.

Multi-factor login makes things even safer. Users have to show proof of who they are in at least two ways. This could be a fingerprint and a password or a phone code.

It’s also important to change your passwords often and follow safe password rules. Now, let’s talk about how to keep a network safe.

Keep the network safe.

The next step after setting up strong access rules is to keep your network safe. PCI compliance is built around a safe network. It keeps hackers from getting to your customers’ payment card information.

You need to use routers and keep them up to date to keep your network safe. Put virus protection software on all of your computers. Always make sure to fix your program. Protect data that goes over public networks by encrypting it.

For all web-based control, use safe methods like SSL/TLS. By taking these steps, you can help keep hackers and data breaches out of your network. They also meet important PCI DSS rules for small businesses that take card payments.

Regularly check and test networks

You need to keep an eye on your network after you set it up to be safe. Checking things often helps find problems early, before they get worse. This step is very important for PCI certification.

A lot of tests are needed to find weak spots in your systems. You can use tools like network scans and security apps. With these tools, you can find strange behavior and security holes. Now is the time to fix any issues you find.

Record every test and fix you make. This shows that you care about security. It also helps you follow PCI DSS rules.

What You Need to Do to Get PCI Compliance

For small companies, getting PCI compliant means taking important steps. These steps will help you keep customer information safe and follow the rules for your business. Want to know more about how it works? Read on to learn how to keep your business safe and earn your customers’ trust.

Figure out your level of compliance.

It is important for small businesses to know their PCI compliance level. This level is based on how many credit card transactions they handle each year. There are four standards set by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Level 4 retailers, who do less than 20,000 e-commerce deals a year, are where most small companies are.

Check how many transactions you make each year to find your level. You can get this information from your bank or payment provider. You can become PCI compliant by taking the right steps once you know your level.

There are rules and jobs to finish for each level. If you know your level, you can keep customer info safe and avoid getting fined for not following the rules.

The Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) needs to be filled out.

The Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is the next thing you need to do after figuring out your level of cooperation. A small business can use this form to see if they follow PCI DSS rules. The SAQ wants to know how you handle and protect credit card information.

Which SAQ you need depends on the type of business you have and how you handle funds. From A to D, there are different kinds. Each one talks about a different protection measure. You will be asked yes or no questions about how you do things.

This process helps you find places where you can make your info safer. An important part of becoming PCI certified is finishing the SAQ.

Do network scans every three months.

You’ll need to do network scans after you’re done with your self-assessment. A lot of people use these scans to find weak spots in their systems that hackers could use. Small businesses have to do these scans every three months because of PCI rules.

For this job, you must use an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV).

Network checks look for problems like open ports or software that is too old. Before bad people can use them, they help you find and fix security holes. To keep your payment methods safe from hackers, you need to scan them often.

As proof that you are following PCI standards, make sure you keep your scan results.

Fill out an Attestation of Compliance (AoC).

A key part of PCI compliance is getting an Attestation of Compliance (AoC). This form needs to be filled out by small businesses to show that they follow PCI rules. The AoC shows that you’ve taken all the necessary protection steps.

It talks about how to keep your network safe and card info safe.

Your bank or payment company may ask for your AoC. Make sure to change it every year. People will believe you more if you fill out this form. It shows that you care about keeping info safe.

Remember to save a copy of your AoC so you can easily find it when you need to.

Send in proof of PCI compliance

Once you’ve finished the steps for PCI compliance, you need to send your files to the right people. This usually includes the bank and credit card companies you use. The Attestation of Compliance (AoC) is the main form you’ll send in.

This paper proves that you followed all PCI DSS rules. You may also need to get your Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and scan reports and share them.

For PCI compliance, make sure you keep copies of everything. Check them again or keep them in case you have questions. Some companies have to send these forms every year. Some people might have to do it more often.

Find out how often you need to send in your PCI compliance documents by calling your bank or payment provider.

Pros of Following PCI Standards

Small companies can get a lot out of being PCI compliant. Find out how it can help the safety and image of your business below.

Gain the trust of your customers

Customers trust you more when you follow PCI standards. People feel safe shopping at stores that keep their credit card information safe. When small businesses follow PCI rules, it shows that they care about safety. People will be loyal and buy from you again.

People are more likely to buy when they can feel safe about their payments. They won’t be afraid to give out their credit card information. Businesses that follow PCI standards often have more sales and fewer bags that are left empty.

Customers are happy and do more business when they trust the company.

Stop data breaches

Increasing customer trust has another important benefit: it stops data breaches. Small businesses can keep private data safe from hackers by following PCI standards. It makes a strong wall against crooks and hackers.

Businesses need to set up fences, secure data, and limit who can see card information. They should also scan and test their protection often.

These steps make it more difficult for thieves to get customer information. Breaches are less likely to happen when networks and systems are safe. This keeps scams and identity theft away from both the business and its customers.

Less worry about expensive claims or fines means safer data. The company’s good name is also kept safe.

Conform to the law

Small businesses can follow the law by being PCI compliant. A lot of states have rules that guard customer information. Most of the time, these laws say that companies have to follow PCI rules. Being PCI-compliant keeps you out of trouble with the law and fines.

Plus, you show clients that you value their privacy.

By following PCI rules, you can protect your business from claims. You can show that you took steps to keep customer information safe if there is a data breach. This could make you less responsible in court.

It also helps you keep banks and credit card companies happy with your business account.

In conclusion

Small companies that deal with credit card information must follow PCI guidelines. It keeps data theft away from both your users and your business. If you follow these rules, people will believe you more and you won’t get fined.

With some work and care, small businesses can meet PCI requirements. Keep yourself and your info safe, and feel confident as you grow your business.