<b><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1822" alt="pci-credit-cards" src="https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pci-credit-cards.jpg" width="400" height="262" />What is PCI Compliance?</b>

If you run a business, and you accept credit cards, it's important to understand the answer to the question, What is PCI Compliance? A simple answer isn't enough and PCI applies to all organizations, no matter how big or small, accepting credit and debit cards.

<b>The Definition of PCI Compliance</b>

PCI stands for Payment Card Industry and the PCI DSS or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is a set of requirements all companies processing credit cards must follow. The basic requirement includes providing a secure environment for the processing of credit card transactions.

The PCI SSC or Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council was created on September 7, 2006. This council has the job of managing the evolution of the Payment Card Industry with a focus on improving security. The PCI SSC administers and manages the PCI DSS and was created by major payment card brands, such as Discover, JCB, American Express, Visa and MasterCard.

<b>How Important is PCI Compliance?</b>

Protecting consumers is vital to the success of online and offline businesses. With identity theft at an all-time high, PCI Compliance is more important than ever. Before PCI Compliance was a requirement of businesses processing credit cards, identity theft number were through the roof. It's still a major problem, but PCI Compliances helps to prevent this crime.

Maintaining the PCI Compliance standard requires companies to conduct specific tests, such as quarterly scans, onsite reviews and self-assessment questionnaires. Making sure your company remains complaint is more than just trying to avoid fines, it's a matter of good business. When companies remain PCI Compliant, they can deliver services over a larger customer Chanel, reduce customer risk and maintain a trusting relationship with customers.

<b>The 12-Point Check</b>

Twelve things are necessary to provide the right environment for processing credit card transactions according to PCI Compliance. The requirements include:
<ul>
	<li>Don't use vendor-supplied passwords and security parameters</li>
	<li>Protect any stored cardholder information</li>
	<li>Install and maintain a firewall for cardholder protection</li>
	<li>Encrypt the transmission of cardholder information across public networks</li>
	<li>Install, use and update antivirus software</li>
	<li>Assigning a unique ID to every person with access to the computers</li>
	<li>Track and monitor all network access and cardholder information</li>
	<li>Develop and maintain secure applications and systems</li>
	<li>Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know</li>
	<li>Restrict physical access to cardholder information</li>
	<li>Maintain a policy addressing information security</li>
	<li>Test security systems and processes regularly</li>
</ul>
<b>Hosting with PCI Compliant Servers<img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1823" alt="pci-security-shield" src="https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pci-security-shield.jpg" width="168" height="168" /></b>

Making sure your servers are PCI Compliant is vital to your business. Not only could you end up paying massive noncompliance fines, but you will also let your customers down. Without adhering to the above guidelines, you could put your customers at risk of identity theft.

All the servers at The Host Group have been updated for PCI Compliance. When you host with one of our packages, you don't have to worry about noncompliance fines or putting your customers at risk. We offer both VPS and Dedicated servers with PCI complaint default settings. Our team is aware changes made to these servers could affect your PCI Compliance, as well.

Our support team will work with you to ensure your server remains PCI Complaint, if you experience an issue. Choosing the right hosting company will help you remain PCI Compliance, as some of the requirements are handled directly by your host. Other aspects of meeting the standards are handled by your payment processor and some are handled by the merchant, or you.

At The Host Group, we take care of all the PCI compliance requirements and make sure you meet the standards. With our help, you won't need to worry about PCI Compliance anymore. It will be taken care of and your customers will be protected.

<b>Remain PCI Complaint with Our Help</b>

The SSL/Secure Certificates we provide, ensure anytime you transmit credit card information, it happens over a secure network. This is a very important part of remaining PCI Complaint. We also offer shopping carts, order pages and website coding specifically set up to adhere to the requirements of PCI Compliance.

With The Host Group, you won't need to worry. We keep you PCI Complaint to ensure you provide the best user experience for any customer purchasing from your website. With the right security measures and policies in place, you and your customers will remain protected.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;