The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC)

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) is an organization that develops and promotes security standards to protect credit and debit card information. Its goal is to ensure businesses handle card data securely, reducing fraud and data breaches. Companies that process or store card payments follow these standards, known as PCI DSS, which include best practices for safeguarding sensitive information. The PCI SSC helps create consistent security measures across the industry, benefiting both consumers and merchants by fostering trust and reducing financial risks associated with data theft.