Normally when you’re using 3rd party payment processors such as Paypal or Google Checkout, you are not subject to the PCI guidelines. Nevertheless they’re a good guide in improving your web shop so we’ve listed them for you here.

The payment card industry compliance and validation regulations apply to financial institutions, Internet vendors and retail merchants. The rules spell out what security measures must be taken to protect the private information of employers and employees during any transaction occurring with the use of a paycard. They also require certain auditing procedures. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is used by all card brands to assure the security of the data gathered while an employee is making a transaction at a bank or participating vendor.

There are six categories of PCI compliance security standards.

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