What does PCI DSS stand for?

The acronym PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This standard was developed to enhance the security of payment card transactions and protect cardholders from data theft and fraud. PCI DSS outlines a set of requirements designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. Compliance with these standards is crucial for businesses that handle payment card data, as they help mitigate risks associated with data breaches and unauthorized access. The focus is specifically on payment card transactions, which distinguishes it from options that reference computing interfaces, private credit information, or public consumer data, which do not pertain to the security measures required for payment card data.