Getting The Picture

By Derek Gale, Associate Editor -- HOTELS Magazine, 1/1/2007

The Payment Card Industry has established data

security standards to help prevent identity theft or any other

type of credit card fraud. These requirements are organized in

six logically related groups, which are "control objectives."

Build and Maintain a Secure Network

Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to

protect cardholder data

Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system

passwords and other security parameters

Protect Cardholder Data

Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data

Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across

open, public networks

Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software

Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business

need-to-know

Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer

access

Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources

and cardholder data

Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes

Maintain an Information Security Policy

Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security