Though PCI standards were introduced to protect consumer information and ensure integrity across various industries, they have also introduced a new level of frustration for the smaller business that has a need to sell products or services online, but doesn’t possess the resources to meet compliancy.  There is a lot that goes into protecting sensitive card data and unfortunately, one too many organizations are not equipped to provide this protection.  Everyday, companies are scattering in attempts to gather the necessary resources to not only fend off attackers, but also keep the government out of their business.  Difficulties aside, PCI compliance is needed as threats are growing rapidly in terms of numbers and sophistication.

PCI-Friendly Hosting Features

Achieving compliance requires a multitude of security components.  Some of the essentials include:

Malware Protection – Malicious software such as viruses, worms, Trojans and keyloggers pose a direct threat to card data stored on any computer or web server.  Businesses are strongly advised to keep their systems protected with reliable solutions capable of detecting and eradicating the latest malware programs.

Firewall - A firewall provides an organization with the ability to control inbound and outbound traffic going to and from the system.  With the right configurations, it can halt malicious traffic and also help to prevent basic hacking attacks.

Intrusion Detection – Though very effective, a firewall can only do so much.  An intrusion detection system enables PCI compliance by detecting the presence of malicious activities that pose a potential threat to card data resting on the system.

Network Monitoring – Even with all the right security mechanisms, card data can still be at risk due to a wide range of circumstances.  This could related to hardware failure or a problem with a backbone provider.  Network monitoring allows companies to stay one step ahead of such issues by watching over the network and reporting its status to system administrators.

SSL Certificate System - SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a must-have security feature for any business that sells goods or services over the internet.  Credit card data is in jeopardy whenever transactions are made on any website that isn’t protected.   With an SSL certificate, businesses can ensure the protection of sensitive information as the protocol creates an encrypted tunnel for which credit card details to travel through.

Not all hosting providers make the commitment to aid in PCI compliance but more are getting onboard with the concept.  Those who are should be commended for their efforts to aid in business-friendly solutions that take the stress out of meeting these demanding standards.

Related posts:

• February 8, 2010 – Website Security – 4 Ways to Secure Your Website
• January 12, 2009 – The Essentials of E-commerce
• November 20, 2008 – Staggering Numbers on Website Vulnerabilities
• November 28, 2011 – Bit-Defender Internet Security Review
• September 1, 2011 – Premium Web Hosting and Security Features Available in the Public Domain
• July 29, 2011 – Is SSL Essential for eCommerce Sites?
• June 6, 2011 – Surviving Website Downtime
• March 3, 2011 – Three Ways Web Hosting Providers Secure E-Commerce Transactions
• February 25, 2011 – The Benefits of Using Multiple Domain Hosting for E-Commerce
• January 13, 2011 – Dedicated IP Web Hosting