Payment card industry compliance is confusing for many ecommerce merchants. But it potentially affects every merchant that accepts credit card payments. Failure to understand the PCI compliance standards could result in higher merchant account fees and fines from the credit card issuers.

Merchants oftentimes have similar general questions on PCI compliance. We posed some of them to Tim Erlin, principal product manager for nCircle, a security consulting and compliance firm that offers PCI-related services, among other compliance services. Those questions, and his answers, are below.

What is PCI?

Erlin: “PCI generally refers to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or the PCI DSS. This standard was developed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a consortium of the major credit card brands (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover). It represents the combination of two previous separate programs: the Visa Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP) and MasterCard’s Site Data Protection program (SDP). The goal of the PCI DSS is to specify a common standard for protecting cardholder data from compromise.”

How does PCI compliance affect my ecommerce business?

Erlin: “If you accept credit cards as a form of payment, you are required to be compliant with the PCI DSS. In most cases, smaller merchants can achieve compliance by using compliant shopping carts and payment gateway services. If, however, you choose to collect and store credit card data as part of your business, you’ll need to carefully consider the requirements of the PCI DSS.”

“Larger volume merchants (more than 20,000 credit card transactions annually) will need to complete some specific validation requirements to demonstrate compliance with the PCI DSS. The requirements range from filling out a self-assessment questionnaire to an onsite audit from a qualified auditor. You can find out more details about merchant levels here.”

Where can I learn more about PCI?

Erlin: “The PCI Security Standards Council is the authoritative source for information. You can find their website at http://www.pcisecuritystandards.org. You can also look to the card brands themselves for additional information.”

My annual sales are very small. Do I still have to comply with PCI?

Erlin: “Every merchant that accepts credit cards must comply with PCI, but smaller merchants often achieve compliance by using compliant services. If you don’t store, transmit or process any credit card data, then your systems are out of scope for PCI DSS compliance.”

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I just got back from the grocery store.  My goodness, Downy Softner is 9 bucks now.  Here are some tips on how to save money on groceries.

1. Use coupons
2. Buy in bulk (Costco)
3. Cut back on eating out
4. Plan ahead, cook ahead and freeze
5. Bring lunch to work
6. Buy cheaper or knock-off brand.

Times are tough lately and you are for sure not saving at the gas pumps.  To make it, it’s important to find ways to cut back on money.  Here are 5 ways to cut your auto insurance bill.

1. Increase your deductible – While this may save you money per month, you need to make sure that you have the money for the deductible should you have an accident.
2. Drive safely – Taking extra precautions while driving, staying under the speed limit and avoiding sudden stops and starts can help save on gas. Most insurance companies give discounts if you are accident-free for X amount of years.
3. See if you qualify for discounts – You may qualify for discounts by purchasing home and business insurance policies from within the same company.  Additionally, there are also discounts if you drive low miles, have multiple vehicles or your kids get good grades in school.
4. Reduce Coverage – Consider reducing your coverage if you are driving an older vehicle.  According to the Insurance Information Institute, it may not be cost effective to carry comp and collision on cars worth less than 10 times the amount you would pay for that portion of your coverage.  Try keeping the coverage, but raising your deductible.
5. Shop for a new provider – It’s always good to shop around every couple years.  In today’s world, there is usually a competitor out there that may give you a better deal.  Never hurts to look!