PCI Compliance
PCI Compliance is increasingly important to all online store owners, and Magento can be implemented to meet this strict standard.
What is PCI Compliance?
The PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was created by the major credit card companies to ensure the adoption of consistent security measures by all merchants. There are 12 requirements for meeting the PCI DSS, broken into 6 groups:
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Build and Maintain a Secure Network
Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters -
Protect Cardholder Data
Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks -
Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program
Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications -
Implement Strong Access Control Measures
Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data -
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks
Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes -
Maintain an Information Security Policy
Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security
Configuring Magento to meet PCI DSS
There are a few very important steps to take when implementing Magento in a PCI compliant manner. The main two are:
- Do not use the Saved Credit Card module in a production environment (live site).
- Do not enable the Debugging profiler in a production environment.
If these modules are implemented the credit card data will be stored in the database, creating further requirements for in order to meet the PCI DSS.
It is important to note that while Magento is an integral part of the chain in obtaining PCI Compliance, it is necessary to implement Magento in a PCI compliant hosting environment. We have given recommendations here on configuring Magento to meet the PCI-DSS. For more information on PCI Compliance please visit the PCI Security Standards Council website ( https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/ )
