The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard is a worldwide data security standard mandated by Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express for the protection of cardholder information.

To help organizations ensure that they are compliant with this standard, AMS has combined its well-established knowledge in card transaction processing and security consulting to offer a package of services that covers initial risk assessment through to compliance and validation. We aim to minimize your effort and costs to set up your compliance program.

The PCI Data Security Standard

It is clear that ensuring the safety of your customers' cardholder information can help your business maintain a positive image, enhance customer confidence and even assist in improving your bottom line.

As part of AMS’s continuing education on these serious issues, we want to provide you with some critical information regarding the mandatory PCI (Payment Card Industry) DSS (Data Security Standard) program.

PCI was established and is enforced by the Card Associations to ensure the protection of cardholder data. It is important to note that all Merchants or Service Providers that store, process, or transmit cardholder data must comply with the PCI Data Security Standard. However, certification and validation requirements vary by business and are contingent upon your "Merchant” or "Service Provider” Level

If you and your Service Providers are not compliant with the PCI Standard, the Card Associations could levy fees and fines against you and your credit card processing services could be terminated. Your obligation is to comply with the Card Associations' rules and regulations (including those related to security standards). AMS requires that all Merchants and their Service Providers ensure compliance with the PCI Standard immediately and on an ongoing basis.

AMS has taken the steps to provide our valued clients with necessary information and associated links to assist in assessing the actions your business should take to ensure compliance with the PCI Standard.