What It Is

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a contractual industry standard managed by the PCI Security Standards Council. It applies to all entities storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data (CHD) and sensitive authentication data (SAD). Primary purpose: protect payment card information from breaches. Employs a control-based approach with 12 requirements organized into 6 control objectives.

Key Components

• **12 core requirementsSecure networks, protect CHD, vulnerability management, access controls, network monitoring/testing, security policies.
• Over 300 sub-requirements/controls for granular compliance.
• **Tiered model4 merchant levels and 2 service provider levels based on transaction volume.
• Validation via SAQ, ROC (QSA-audited), and quarterly ASV scans.

Why Organizations Use It

• Contractual mandate from payment brands to avoid fines, processing bans, and breach costs ($37/record average).
• Mitigates risks like ransomware; enhances trust and GDPR alignment.
• Provides competitive edge through demonstrated security for stakeholders.

Implementation Overview

• Conduct CDE scoping, gap analysis, data flow diagrams; implement controls like MFA, encryption, segmentation (v4.0 focus).
• Global applicability to merchants/service providers; Levels 2-4 use SAQ, Level 1 requires QSA ROC.
• Ongoing maintenance challenging (47.5% fail rate); costs $5K-$200K+.

What It Is

The Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China (CSL), enacted June 1, 2017, is a comprehensive regulation with 69 articles. It governs network operators and data processors in China, focusing on securing information systems. Primary scope covers network security, data protection, and governance via mandatory controls and risk-based classifications like Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).

Key Components

• **Three pillarsNetwork Security (safeguards, monitoring), Data Localization & PIP (local storage, transfers), Cybersecurity Governance (executive duties, reporting).
• Core principles: data classification, incident response, cooperation with authorities.
• Compliance model: self-assessments, government evaluations for CII, auditable evidence.

Why Organizations Use It

• Mandatory to avoid fines up to 5% of revenue, disruptions, reputational harm.
• Builds trust, enables efficiency through modern tech like Zero-Trust.
• Strategic advantages: innovation, market access in finance, healthcare.

Implementation Overview

• **Phased frameworkalignment, gap analysis, tech redesign, governance, testing.
• Key activities: asset classification, local data centers, SIEM, training.
• Applies to all serving Chinese users; CII requires MIIT certification.

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