If your business collects, processes, or stores payment information, even just occasionally, you need to think seriously about PCI compliance. But here's the truth: many small and mid-sized businesses are unknowingly taking risks with their customer data every day.
So, what exactly is PCI compliance?
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of rules designed to ensure that businesses handle cardholder data securely. It's not just for big eCommerce sites; it applies to anyone who accepts credit cards or stores customer payment information.
At SYAND, we often see companies sending forms via email, saving credit card details on shared drives, or storing sensitive data in unencrypted systems. These habits may seem harmless but pose serious risks to your business and clients.
What Does Noncompliance Look Like?
- Sending PDFs with card info via email
- Unsecured payment portals
- Collecting sensitive data through unprotected online forms
- Using outdated or non-encrypted storage
These mistakes open the door to data breaches and lead to steep fines, lost trust, and legal exposure.
How to Stay Compliant (and Safe):
- Use secure forms with encryption
- Never store cardholder data unless absolutely required, and then, do it securely
- Train your team to recognize and avoid risky behavior
- Partner with IT professionals (like us) to evaluate your data workflows
Don’t assume you're too small to be targeted. PCI compliance isn't just a checkbox, it’s peace of mind.
Need a quick compliance review? Let us know. We help businesses of all sizes protect what matters most.
