The Mastercard SDP Program consists of rules, guidelines, best practices, and approved compliance validation tools to foster broad compliance with the PCI DSS.
PCI DSS compliance and subsequent compliance with the SDP Program mandate, helps customers, merchants and service providers protect themselves against security breaches, while enhancing consumer confidence and protecting the overall integrity of the payment system.
With over 250 sub-requirements, the PCI DSS applies to all entities that store, process, and/or transmit cardholder data. If you accept or process payment cards, PCI DSS applies to you.
Six Goals, 12 Requirements
| Goals | PCI DSS Requirements |
|---|---|
| Build and Maintain a Secure Network and Systems | 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters |
| Protect Cardholder Data | 3: Protect stored cardholder data 4: Encrypt transmissions of cardholder data across open, public networks |
| Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program | 5: Protect all systems against malware and regularly update anti-virus software or programs 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications |
| Implement Strong Access Control Measures | 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know 8: Identify and authenticate access to system components 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data |
| Regularly Monitor and Test Networks | 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data 11: Regularly test security systems and processes |
| Maintain an Information Security Policy | 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel |
The Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) is for software developers and integrators of payment applications that store, process or transmit cardholder data as part of authorization or settlement when these applications are sold, distributed or licensed to third parties.
PA-DSS requires vendors of third-party payment applications to ensure proper security controls are in place to safeguard cardholder data. Many of the controls within PA-DSS are designed to specifically address common vulnerabilities that were identified as main causes in credit card data loss.
Mastercard requires all merchants and service providers that use third party-provided payment applications to only use those applications that are compliant with the PCI PA-DSS, as applicable. The applicability of the PCI PA-DSS to third party-provided payment applications is defined in the PCI PA-DSS Program Guide available on the PCI Security Standards Council (SSC) website.
Mastercard also recommends that merchants use a Qualified Integrator & Reseller (QIR) listed on the PCI SSC website to implement a PCI PA-DSS-compliant payment application.