How To Get Four Levels of PCI Compliance There are four levels of PCI compliance, each with its own set of requirements. Level 1 is the highest level of compliance and requires the most stringent security measures. To be compliant at this level, businesses must: ● ● Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters ● ● Protect stored cardholder data Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks To achieve Level 2 compliance, businesses must: ● ● ● Meet all the requirements of Level 1 Implement strong access control measures Regularly monitor and test networks Level 3 compliance requires that businesses: ● ● ● Meet all the requirements of Levels 1 and 2 Maintain a vulnerability management program Develop and maintain secure systems and applications The highest level of PCI compliance, Level 4, is reserved for businesses that process very large volumes of transactions. To be compliant at this level, businesses must: ● ● ● Meet all the requirements of Levels 1, 2, and 3 Conduct quarterly network scans by an approved scanning vendor Implement additional security measures to protect cardholder data Achieving PCI compliance can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it is essential for businesses that accept credit and debit cards. By following the guidelines set forth by the PCI Security Standards Council, businesses can protect themselves and their customers from fraud and data breaches. https://www.hostmerchantservices.com/