PCI DSS
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. It was established by major credit card brands (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB) to protect cardholder data and reduce credit card fraud. Compliance involves implementing technical and operational controls across networks, systems, and processes.
Developers should learn PCI DSS when building or maintaining applications that handle payment card data, such as e-commerce platforms, payment gateways, or financial systems. It's essential for ensuring legal compliance, avoiding hefty fines (up to $100,000 per month for non-compliance), and protecting sensitive customer information from breaches. Specific use cases include implementing encryption for card data, securing network configurations, and conducting regular security testing.