Visa PCI Compliance for Payment Service Providers

As a payment service provider, achieving Visa PCI compliance is a top priority. This ensures the security and integrity of sensitive cardholder data.

Visa PCI compliance is mandatory for all merchants and service providers that store, process, or transmit cardholder data.

To meet these requirements, payment service providers must implement robust security measures to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access.

These measures include installing firewalls, encrypting data in transit, and regularly updating security software.

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Visa PCI compliance is required for all entities that store, process, or transmit Visa cardholder data.

The PCI Security Standards Council owns and manages the PCI DSS, but Visa is responsible for enforcing and validating compliance.

To become a Visa Access Control Server (ACS) Service Provider, you must undergo on-site inspections and reviews of your financial background.

Visa provides a level system for merchants based on their number of Visa transactions, determining the requirements they need to meet.

You can find out what you need to do by looking at the table below, which also provides links to more information on each requirement.

Report on Compliance and Attestation of Compliance are two key aspects of PCI DSS compliance.

Approved Scan Vendor is a requirement for Level 4 merchants, who must undergo quarterly ASV scans.

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To become a compliant service provider, you'll need to meet specific security requirements. Vendors in the Approved Vendor Program must validate annually against one or more security requirements, which include PCI Card Production Physical Security Requirements and Visa Global Security Requirements for Secure Element Vendors and OTA Service Providers.

To ensure platform strength and capability, a questionnaire will be provided to interested parties, and annual financial documentation will be requested. You'll also need to notify Visa of any changes to your business information, such as your legal name, business location, or types of services offered.

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Here are some key compliance requirements to keep in mind:

To determine your compliance requirements, you'll need to consider the type of transactions you process and the level of validation needed.

The level of validation depends on the number of transactions you process per year. If you process over 300,000 transactions, you'll be considered a Level 1 service provider. This means you'll need to be included on Visa's List of PCI DSS Compliant Service Providers.

If you process less than 300,000 transactions, you'll be considered a Level 2 service provider. In this case, you won't be included on Visa's List of PCI DSS Compliant Service Providers, but you can still choose to validate as a Level 1 service provider to be included on the list.

To validate your compliance, you'll need to meet the requirements set by Visa. This includes providing annual financial documentation and updating any material changes to your information. You'll also need to notify Visa of any changes to your business, including mergers and acquisitions, changes to your location, or changes to your point of contact.

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Here's a breakdown of the validation requirements for Level 1 and Level 2 service providers:

It's also worth noting that PCI DSS assessments only represent a snapshot of your security controls at the time of the review, and do not guarantee that those controls remain in place after the review is complete.

The Cardholder Information Security Program, or CISP, was originally instituted by Visa to protect valuable credit card information.

CISP was so effective that it was adopted by the entire industry and is now known as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).

The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) was established by the five major credit card companies to oversee these standards.

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Visa has created a list of recommendations to help merchants maintain compliance and protect valuable cardholder information, based on the 12 requirements of the PCI Data Security Standards. These requirements are the foundation of Visa's security standards.

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To meet these requirements, merchants must ensure that any Internet-ready credit card processing equipment has appropriate firewalls properly installed and configured to prohibit all unauthorized traffic. Install anti-virus and anti-malware programs on any computer systems used for credit card processing, and update these programs regularly.

Merchants must also be aware of everyone who has access to their sensitive systems, from employees to vendors, and be sure to track their network activity. This includes creating unique and complex passwords for every employee who has access to payment systems, and changing all IDs and passwords from the defaults supplied by the vendor.

Visa also requires merchants to ensure that all records of sensitive information, whether paper or electronic, are either destroyed or securely stored. Regularly scanning credit card processing systems for vulnerabilities by an approved scanning vendor is also a requirement.

Here's a summary of the key security requirements for merchants:

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of requirements for entities that store, process, or transmit Visa cardholder data.

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PCI DSS compliance is required of all entities that store, process, or transmit Visa cardholder data – including financial institutions, merchants, and service providers.

Visa manages PCI DSS compliance enforcement and validation initiatives, while the PCI Security Standards Council owns and manages the PCI DSS.

The PCI DSS has 12 requirements, which include installing firewalls and configuring them to prohibit unauthorized traffic, and ensuring that all records of sensitive information are either destroyed or securely stored.

Visa has created a list of recommendations to help merchants maintain compliance and protect valuable cardholder information, based on the 12 requirements of the PCI DSS.

To demonstrate compliance, merchants must regularly scan their credit card processing systems for vulnerabilities by an approved scanning vendor.

Visa requires merchants to track the network activity of everyone who has access to their sensitive systems, including employees and vendors.

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As we dive into the world of security standards, it's essential to understand what requirements you need to meet. Applicable security requirements vary depending on your role and the services you provide.

Approved vendors are required to validate annually against one or more security requirements, which include PCI Card Production Physical Security Requirements and Visa Global Physical Security Validation Requirements for Data Preparation, Encryption Support and Fulfillment Card Vendors, among others.

To become an approved vendor, you'll need to meet these specific requirements, which can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, we'll break it down for you.

Here are some of the key security requirements you'll need to meet:

By meeting these requirements, you'll be able to provide secure services to your clients and maintain their trust. It's a crucial step in becoming an approved vendor, and with the right guidance, you'll be well on your way.

Visa has a PIN Security compliance program, but it's being sunsetted on October 1, 2023.

Although the program will no longer be in effect, clients, processors, and service providers will still need to comply with PCI PIN security requirements.

To process PIN transactions securely, you'll need to offer secure PIN entry devices to customers who choose to enter PINs.

Visa has a useful guide to PIN transaction rules that you can refer to for more information.

Validation and Verification is a crucial step in ensuring your business meets Visa's PCI DSS requirements. Visa provides a "level" to individual merchants based on the number of Visa transactions passing through their business over a 12-month period.

This level determines the specific requirements you'll need to meet. You can find out what you need to do in the table provided by Visa, which also includes links to information on each requirement.

Visa requires merchants to report on their compliance, which can be done through a Qualified Security Assessor. This assessor will evaluate your business's security measures and provide a report on your compliance.

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Payment Security is crucial for Visa PCI compliance. You should only partner with approved payment service providers that process payments and deal with Visa cardholder information on your behalf.

When selecting a payment service provider, look for a disclaimer at the bottom of their website stating that they are a registered ISO of a bank. For example, this image shows disclaimers from processors in the CardFellow marketplace.

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To ensure secure payment processing, equipment should meet Payment Application Data Security Standards, and sensitive cardholder information should not be saved or stored. This includes not storing cardholder information on equipment or by staff.

If you take PIN transactions, you'll need to comply with Visa's PIN transaction rules, including offering secure PIN entry devices to customers who choose to enter PINs.

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Visa has announced the sunset of its PIN Security compliance program, effective October 1, 2023, but clients and service providers will still need to comply with PCI PIN security requirements.

Visa PIN Security Program participants include PIN-Acquiring Third-Party VisaNet Processors, PIN-Acquiring Client VisaNet Processors Acting as a Service Provider, PIN-Acquiring Third-Party Servicers, and Encryption and Support Organizations.

These participants have demonstrated compliance with Visa PIN Security Program requirements, which focus on securing PINs and encryption keys. The program ensures that entities processing PIN data or performing key management activities meet minimum acceptable criteria for security.

Visa clients that utilize the services of validated PIN Program participants have reasonable assurance that the secrecy of cardholder PINs is maintained and the integrity of key management procedures is preserved.

The Visa Rules require Members to ensure their acquiring third-party agents comply with Visa PIN Security Program requirements and that their own processing environments comply with applicable security requirements.

Here's a list of Visa PIN Program participants:

You should only partner with approved payment service providers, also known as processing companies, that comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Approved service providers will have a disclaimer at the bottom of their website stating that they are a registered ISO of a bank. For example, this image shows disclaimers from processors in the CardFellow marketplace.

If you don't see the disclaimer on a company's website, you may want to consider another company. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to handling sensitive cardholder information.

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To locate a certified service provider, you can download the list of PCI DSS-compliant service providers. Service providers fall into one of two service provider levels: Level 1, which includes VisaNet processors or any service provider that stores, processes, and/or transmits over 300,000 transactions per year, and Level 2, which includes any service provider that stores, processes, and/or transmits less than 300,000 transactions per year.

Here is a breakdown of the two service provider levels:

Keep in mind that Level 2 service providers may choose to validate as a Level 1 service provider to be included in Visa's List of PCI DSS Compliant Service Providers.

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To comply with Visa's PCI standards, you'll need to meet certain deadlines and register your Third Party Agents (TPAs) properly. If your TPA performs activities like solicitation, deploying ATMs, or managing encryption keys, they must be registered in the TPA Registration Program before you can use their services.

The TPA Registration Program is a crucial step in maintaining Visa PCI compliance. You can't skip this step or delay it, as it's a requirement for issuers, acquirers, and merchants who want to use the services of registered TPAs.

To stay on track, check out this table outlining the compliance validation deadlines for Visa System participating entities:

Third Party Agent Registration is a crucial step for businesses that want to work with third party agents.

To be registered, Third Party Agents must perform specific activities, such as solicitation, deploying ATM or kiosk acceptance devices, or managing encryption keys.

Businesses that use third party agents for these activities must wait until the agents are registered before they can use their services.

Only registered Third Party Agents can store, process, transmit, or have access to Visa cardholder data.

Registration in the Third Party Agent Registration Program is mandatory for issuers, acquirers, and merchants who want to work with third party agents.

This means that businesses must register their third party agents before they can start working together.

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Deadlines are a crucial aspect of registration and compliance. September 30, 2009, is a significant deadline for Level 1 and 2 Merchants.

To confirm compliance, Level 1 Merchants and Processors must verify full compliance with PCI Data Security Standards (DSS) by September 30, 2010.

Data Security is a top priority for any business that handles credit card transactions. It's essential to maintain compliance with the PCI Data Security Standards to protect valuable cardholder information.

Make sure your Internet-ready credit card processing equipment has firewalls installed and configured properly to prohibit unauthorized traffic. This is a critical step in safeguarding sensitive information.

Regularly updating anti-virus and anti-malware programs on your computer systems used for credit card processing is crucial. This will help prevent malware and viruses from compromising your systems.

Create unique and complex passwords for every employee with access to your payment systems. Change all default passwords supplied by vendors to ensure maximum security.

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Be aware of everyone who has access to your sensitive systems, including employees, vendors, and contractors. Track their network activity to identify potential security risks.

Securely store or destroy all records of sensitive information, including credit card numbers and expiration dates. This includes both paper and electronic records.

Regularly scan your credit card processing systems for vulnerabilities using an approved scanning vendor. This will help identify and fix any security weaknesses before they become major issues.