Customer data security guidelines are updated

NATIONAL REPORT — The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council, composed of the five major credit-card companies, updated its guidelines on how veterinary practices and other businesses can protect customer account data from identity theft.

The PCI Data Security Standard Requirements are a set of 12 rules for enhancing payment account data security.

They were developed by American Express, Discover, JCB International, MasterCard and Visa to keep data-security measures consistent throughout the world.

If a business has a security breach and is not in compliance with the PCI DSS, the penalties are severe and could include barring the business from accepting credit cards, according to PCI.

The 12 requirements

To build and maintain a secure network:

» Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data

» Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

To protect cardholders:

» Protect stored cardholder data

» Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks

Maintain a vulnerability management program:

» Use and regularly update anti-virus software

» Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Implement strong access-control measures:

» Restrict access to cardholder data on a need-to-know basis

» Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access

» Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly monitor and test networks:

» Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data

» Regularly test security systems and processes

Maintain an information security policy:

» Maintain a policy that addresses information security

For more information, visit www.pciscuritystandards.org.