| We all want to know that our financial information is | | | | updates of anti-virus software, and implementing |
| protected when shopping at online and traditional | | | | computer maintenance and protocols such as |
| businesses. Unfortunately, many people have learned | | | | monitoring and testing the networks in order to reduce |
| the hard way about fraud after they have lost | | | | security breaches. |
| thousands of dollars. Although businesses have taken | | | | PCI compliance has provided consumers and |
| a number of measures to improve their security, there | | | | businesses with the security and assurance to trust in |
| are still many online shady individuals engaging in credit | | | | carrying out business transactions safely and securely |
| and debit card fraud. Online criminals are constantly | | | | online and in person. PCI DSS drastically reduces the |
| seeking new ways of gaining access to people's | | | | risk of identity theft and fraud, thereby reducing |
| financial and personal information. The financial cost of | | | | customer loss and profit loss. |
| fraud is massive. Any business that accepts credit and | | | | Increased knowledge of the PCI system and the |
| debit card payment information should comply with the | | | | implemented safeguards and regulations, tells |
| Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI | | | | customers that the risk of having their information |
| DSS). Businesses need to assure their customers that | | | | stolen is significantly reduced. As well, the sizeable |
| they are protected by complying with the PCI DSS. | | | | fines for non-compliance are a huge deterrent for one |
| Consumer confidence in how personal information is | | | | who fails to maintain compliancy. Smart Shoppers look |
| managed is one of the most critical elements required | | | | for a secure site that is a PCI compliant company. |
| for a businesses success. Creating and fostering a | | | | Most people will not do business with an unprotected |
| good business reputation can take years, but | | | | company. |
| destroying it can be instant. A multi-million dollar | | | | Because business today depends on electronic |
| business can be irrevocably harmed by the loss of | | | | transactions and payment processing for the majority |
| their reputation. With the creation of the Payment Card | | | | of their payments, PCI compliance needs to be the |
| Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), the | | | | highest priority. A business that fails to register for |
| assistance that has been much needed has now been | | | | payment card identity compliancy will fall behind in an |
| developed to secure the use of credit and debit cards. | | | | extremely competitive business world. |
| Businesses that process and store customer credit | | | | With the expansion and constant development of the |
| and debit card data are now required legally to be PCI | | | | internet, consumers are now demanding high quality |
| compliant and to conduct business practices under a | | | | goods and services with a minimum risk of fraud. |
| strict set of rules. PCI compliancy has boosted | | | | Being PCI compliant allows a customer to feel |
| confidence in spending by implementing twelve strict | | | | confidant and secure about the purchases they make. |
| regulations which protects their customers' personal | | | | Knowledgeable and cautious shoppers look for |
| and financial information from such threats as hackers, | | | | security when shopping so it makes sense that a |
| viruses, worms, Trojans and more. | | | | business becomes PCI compliant. The result will be |
| PCI compliance covers a number of areas such as | | | | repeat customers and an increase in conversions |
| that installing a firewall, including encryption during | | | | which will lead to an increase in profits. |
| transmission of card data, implementing regular | | | | |