Payment Card Industry (PCI)

The Payment Card Industry (PCI) refers to organizations and standards that protect credit and debit card information during transactions. The PCI Security Standards Council creates guidelines to ensure merchants and service providers securely handle cardholder data, reducing the risk of theft and fraud. Businesses that accept payment cards must comply with these standards to safeguard customer information. Compliance involves implementing security measures such as encryption, secure networks, and ongoing monitoring. The goal is to create a safer environment for online and in-store payments, maintaining trust between consumers and businesses.