PCI- SSC in Access & Video Surveillance

PCI- SSC in Access & Video Surveillance 

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) does not mandate specific video surveillance requirements, but it does have general physical security requirements that can be fulfilled through video surveillance or other methods. PCI DSS Requirement 9.1.1 specifically states that organizations must monitor physical access to sensitive areas using either video cameras or access control mechanisms. 

In this era of widespread digital transactions, we cannot overstate the importance of PCI-SSC. PCI-SSC serves as a guiding beacon, directing organizations toward the highest levels of security when handling payment card information. By prioritizing and adopting PCI-SSC standards, organizations can defend themselves against online attacks and enhance the overall integrity and reliability of the global payment ecosystem. The dedication of PCI-SSC to protecting the cornerstone of contemporary commerce remains unwavering, even as technological improvements continue.

What is PCI-SSC?

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council is a global organization founded in 2006 by credit card companies such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB. Its mission is to develop and improve security standards for payment card transactions. The PCI-SSC is crucial in bringing stakeholders from the payments industry to create and promote adopting data security standards and resources. It is responsible for crafting and updating the PCI Security Standards, guidelines that dictate how organizations must protect cardholder data.

Compliance with PCI-DSS is mandatory for all entities that handle credit cards, encompassing those that accept, transmit, or store such information. To assist organizations in meeting PCI-DSS requirements, the PCI-SSC offers a range of resources, including training programs, assessment tools, and best practices. The significance of PCI-SSC lies in its dedication to safeguarding cardholder data from fraud and theft, aiding organizations in reducing the risk of data breaches, and ensuring the security of their customers.

Role of PCI-SSC

1. Develop and Maintain the PCI-DSS:

The PCI-SSC actively develops and updates the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), outlining guidelines for safeguarding cardholder data. It ensures the PCI-DSS remains current and addresses the latest security threats. The PCI-SSC actively maintains and evolves the standards to meet the dynamic challenges of securing payment card information.

2. Promote Awareness of PCI-DSS Compliance:

The PCI-SSC actively raises awareness about PCI-DSS compliance through its website, social media, and public relations campaigns. Collaborating with industry organizations, it strives to promote understanding and adherence to PCI-DSS across various channels. The PCI-SSC engages in widespread efforts to highlight and encourage compliance with PCI-DSS standards.

3. Assess Organizations for PCI-DSS Compliance:

The PCI-SSC does not directly assess organizations for PCI-DSS compliance. Instead, it approves and supervises Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) who conduct PCI-DSS assessments. In essence, the PCI-SSC delegates the assessment process to qualified professionals to ensure compliance with PCI-DSS standards.

4. Educate and Train Organizations on the PCI-DSS:

The PCI-SSC provides diverse training programs and resources to educate organizations on complying with the PCI-DSS. These offerings encompass a broad spectrum of subjects, including security requirements, assessment procedures, and best practices, aiming to equip organizations with comprehensive knowledge and skills. The PCI-SSC actively fosters education and training to implement PCI-DSS guidelines effectively.

Importance of PCI-SSC

1. Protection Against Cyber Threats:

In the digital age, there’s been a concerning rise in cyber threats like data breaches and identity theft. PCI-SSC serves as a safeguard by establishing and maintaining security standards that businesses must follow, guaranteeing the protection of sensitive payment information from potential threats.

2. The PCI-DSS is Up-to-Date:

The PCI-SSC actively updates the PCI-DSS to address the latest security threats, ensuring that organizations employ the most effective security measures for cardholder data protection. This ongoing process reflects the commitment to staying ahead of evolving risks in the digital landscape. In essence, organizations benefit from a current and robust framework to safeguard sensitive information.

3. Facilitating PCI-DSS Compliance:

The PCI-SSC provides diverse resources, such as training programs, assessment tools, and best practices, to assist organizations in complying with the PCI-DSS. These offerings simplify the compliance process for organizations of all sizes, ensuring accessibility and support in implementing PCI-DSS guidelines.

4. Comprehensive Security Framework:

PCI-SSC establishes a comprehensive framework encompassing payment card security aspects like network security, encryption, access controls, and regular testing. This all-encompassing strategy ensures vulnerabilities are tackled from various perspectives, establishing a solid defense mechanism against potential breaches.

PCI DSS and Physical Security:

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) includes requirements for protecting physical access to areas where cardholder data is stored, processed, or transmitted.

The PCI standard requires, “either video cameras or access control mechanisms (or both) to monitor individual physical access to sensitive areas,” which allows some flexibility. “Sensitive areas” include:

“data centers, server rooms, back-office rooms at retail locations, and any area that concentrates or aggregates cardholder storage, processing, or transmission. . . This excludes public-facing areas where only point-of-sale terminals are present, such as the cashier areas in a retail store ”

Bottom line: If your PCI compliance solution lacks relevant access control, then you will need security cameras monitoring individual physical access to your organization’s sensitive areas.

Requirement 9.1.1:

This requirement focuses on monitoring physical access to sensitive areas, which include data centers, server rooms, and other locations where cardholder data is handled.

Video Surveillance as a Solution:

Organizations can use video cameras or other access control mechanisms (like keycard systems) to meet this requirement.

Not a Requirement for Footage Retention:

Importantly, PCI DSS does not mandate a specific retention period for video surveillance footage.

Focus on Access Control:

The primary goal of these physical security measures is to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas, thus protecting cardholder data.

Key considerations when using security cameras for PCI compliance

Here are four additional considerations specific to security cameras in the context of PCI compliance:

1. Regularly scheduled risk assessments. A full understanding of the security camera system, business environment, and threat environment allows for any adjustments needed to maintain compliance and continuously improve processes.
2. Employee training & awareness. Educating employees about PCI compliance is essential to program success. Employees who are aware can understand how their role can impact compliance and support ongoing program success.
3. Partnering with a vendor. A vendor that understands PCI compliance using security cameras and that offers solutions can remove the burden of program management from your staff, so you can focus on your mission-critical activities. Vendors also have knowledge leadership in the field that typically yields optimal program performance and results.
4. Security cameras + access control. A hybrid solution provides the highest level of compliance and protection. Seamless integration of access control with security cameras provides a framework for full visibility and control of your security environment.

Can the video retention be motion-based?

The PCI standard does not specify whether security systems that utilize motion-based video may be used. However, 24/7 recording with time stamps provides a comprehensive, clear record of all entry and exit events in an area for access control purposes.

The advantage of motion-based recording is reduced costs for storage. The disadvantages include false positives from background motion (passing cars, blowing leaves, birds, etc.) and false negatives (cameras not activating to record incidents). 24/7 recording avoids those disadvantages, while the three-month requirement under PCI makes data storage costs manageable.

Maintaining compliance

Achieving PCI compliance is simply the beginning. Maintaining compliance requires a consistent, strategic commitment to an ongoing compliance program. The three most important elements of an effective program are:

1. Dedicate resources necessary to continuously maintain compliance. This includes commitments of people and technologies.
2. Regularly assess & test the information security environment. Implement a framework to identify whether controls are working and enact appropriate changes that support continuous improvement.
3. Mature your vulnerability management. Vulnerability scans, patching, configuration management, passwords, and permissions reviews are part of an ongoing program to understand and respond to evolving vulnerabilities.

Ref:

1.      https://kirkpatrickprice.com/video/pci-requirement-9-1-1-use-either-video-cameras-access-control-mechanisms-monitor-individual-physical-access-sensitive-areas/

2.      https://www.getscw.com/knowledge-base/pci-compliance-doesn-t-need-90-days-of-footage#:~:text=PCI%20DSS%20has%20no%20specific,no%20requirements%20for%20footage%20retention.

3.      https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/