Security is a serious consideration in online transactions.
This is the main reason why many companies have different mechanisms of
security protocols. When we make purchases online, we are most likely to share
personal information. Since security breaches are well known, trust in current
security measures is coming into question, hence the need of stronger security
mechanisms. As a small vendor, one of the things you can implement is PCI compliance. Payment Card Industry
Compliance standards, brought forward by the major credit card issuers, ensure
protection of personal information and guarantee security when transactions are
processed using a payment card.
Maintain a secure network
When handling an online business where personal information
of your customers is transmitted in your network, you need to guarantee that
your network is tamper-proof. For an online business venture, the most
vulnerable target would be the web server. However, with the correct choice of
a hosting service provider, your networks will be safe from any breach. This is
because reliable hosting service providers will take the responsibility of
handling the security of the network. If you keep cardholder information on
your laptop or personal computer which are used in a public network, your
computer should be under a firewall and other security procedures observed.
Protect cardholder's data
This standard focuses on big data storage mechanisms and how
this data is transmitted. If you own an online business that decides to store
cardholder's data, you have an obligation to ensure that this data is
protected. Business ventures that store this information will definitely store
it under encryption such that even if accessed, the information will still be
safe. While transmitting cardholder's data during a purchase over the internet,
this data has to be encrypted with at least a 128 bit SSL certificate for this
standard to be met.
Regularly monitor and test your networks
There is need of ensuring that your networks are safe all
through. This can be achieved through regularly monitoring and testing your
networks. Proof or regular testing, scanning, monitoring and tracking of data
are is required to satisfy this requirement. This can be achieved through the
use of reliable security intelligence software and signing up for security analytics
auditing service.
Maintaining an information security policy
Humans are the most exploited breach in security. To meet
PCI compliance standards, you have to ensure that information is accessed by
only those who need it. It is also very important to have rules and policies
regarding handling of this data within your employees. Your employees are
expected to understand their responsibility regarding this type of data.
The above standards are the first steps that have to be met
when you are thinking of becoming PCI compliant. These standards will be
checked by credit card companies before you are rated based on the volumes of
your transactions. With the widespread use of virtual technology in payment
card systems, ensure you choose the services of virtual security and compliance
providers especially if you are working in virtual environments.