PCI DSS Consultancy

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of stringent requirements for enhancing payment account data security. It was developed by the founding payment brands of the PCI Security Standards Council, including American Express, Discover Financial Services, Japan Central Bank International, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa Inc. International, to help facilitate the broad adoption of consistent data security measures on a global basis.

Here in the UK, it is the mainstream card processors, Europay, Mastercard and Visa Europe (EMV) that enforce the standard, working with companies across the four Merchant Levels.

PCI DSS is a recognised security standard that includes 119 detailed requirements covering security management, policies, procedures, network architecture, software design and other critical protective measures.

Research shows that many UK companies are struggling to meet these requirements. Non-compliant merchants face penalties from card processors, or surcharges per transaction or in some cases denial of service (DoS), impacting business continuity.

Non-compliance means that they are far more vulnerable to attack from malicious hackers [so-called 'black hat' hackers] and non-malicious hackers [so-called 'white hat' hackers] looking for customer credit card and bank account data. Any breach impacts both economic and reputational risk.

Smart421 is already engaged with a number of customers delivering consultancy on self-assessment, pre-audit and remediation. It works alongside Qualified Standards Assessors (QSAs) to help companies become compliant and remain compliant in each of the 12 top level requirements specified by the PCI Security Standards Council.

Smart421 also works in collaboration with leading academic institutions to ensure its customers receive truly independent recommendations from recognised subject-matter-experts in Information Security, Cryptography and PCI DSS.

Smart421 will be pleased to leverage their collaboration with University College London (UCL) to add value to your next PCI DSS Consultancy engagement.



Contact Smart421 today to arrange a complimentary 45-minute intro at your offices or via conference call.

For more information please download the brochure or contact us.