Why should Vendor consider getting PA-DSS

In today's modernized world, every aspect of our life is caressed by state-of-the-art technology and its wonders. Likewise, we have also boosted ourselves in the way we handle our money and process our transactions. From a single penny, we have made an astonishing journey to digital money. We are handling all kinds of payments by a single click via payment applications. It's truly magnificent and a marvellous example of how we have grown.

The payment application we use does render us a flawless payment platform without letting us withstand the hustle we have to pass through traditional banking procedures. Even though the payment application is effortless in their style of work, it gives rise to a hesitation whether our card and personnel data are secure or not. How do these payment applications make sure that our hard-earned money is protected from unethical hackers?

These questions were also the primary concern of all the major card brands such as  VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, JCB INTERNATIONAL, and  DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES. With the sole purpose of protecting their crucial customer data, these major brands collectively formed a global organization which was termed as PCI SSC (Payment Card Industry Standard Security council). For ensuring secure transaction on payment applications, PCI SSC published a global standard termed as PA DSS (Payment Application Data Security Standard)

What is PA - DSS?

PA DSS is a global security standard which sets requirements and policies intended to establish impregnably sound payment applications and assure user data security.

The standard came into existence on April 15, 2008, and was termed as PA DSS Version 1.1. Since its inception, it has gone through various updations and over the years, Version 1.2, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, and V 3.2, were introduced. The latest version v3.2 was released on May 2016. In conventional terms, PA DSS is certification affiliated to organizations which adhere to PCI SSC council terms with an assurance that the payment application remains protected.

PADSS standard is formulated to help software vendors develop secure payment applications that process the user data securely. The vendors should conserve critical data as such full magnetic stripe, CVV2, or PIN data etc, and they also need to ensure their payment applications support compliance with the PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards).

PA DSS makes sure that application must have secure password features, detailed activity logs, additional security for wireless transmissions.  The security controls in place keep a check on multiple aspects of the infrastructure.

PA DSS certification has a validation of three year. After completion of one year, the respective organization has to carry out the revalidation procedure to ensure that it stays compliant and is incorporated as a secure payment platform.

To whom PA DSS is applicable?

For PA-DSS, a payment application eligiblefor review and listing by the PCI SSC is defined as an application that:

a) stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data as part of authorization or settlement and
b) is sold, distributed, or licensed to third parties

How to be PA DSS compliant?

Any organization who wishes to be PA DSS compliant has to choose a PA QSA (Payment Application Qualified Security Assessor). PA QSA is an organization level certification accredited by the PCI SSC. They have the license to perform PA DSS assessment of an organization and implement the standards, requirements, and policies mentioned in PA DSS standard to achieve the same.

Please refer the below link to check the qualified payment application assessor:

https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/assessors_and_solutions/payment_application_assessors

How will QRC help you achieve PA DSS?

Being a Payment Application Qualified Security Assessor (PA QSA) Company, QRC aims to provide additional pioneering, hassle-free, and cost-effective services for PA DSS Advisory and Certification. Since its establishment, QRC has served more than 100 plus clients globally in the information security domain. As your PA DSS compliance partner, QRC will assist and assess you at each step right from defining the scope until facing the compliance audit.