What It Is

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a contractual security framework managed by the PCI Security Standards Council. It mandates technical and operational controls to protect cardholder data (CHD) and sensitive authentication data (SAD) for entities storing, processing, or transmitting payment card information. Its control-based approach enforces a baseline via 12 requirements under 6 objectives.

Key Components

• 12 requirements spanning network security, data protection, vulnerability management, access controls, monitoring, and policy maintenance.
• Over 300 sub-requirements with testing procedures.
• Merchant/service provider levels (1-4) determine validation (SAQ or ROC).
• v4.0 emphasizes MFA, segmentation, and customized approaches.

Why Organizations Use It

• Contractual obligation from card brands/acquirers prevents fines, processing bans.
• Reduces breach risks/costs ($37/record avg.), builds customer trust.
• Enhances security hygiene, supports GDPR alignment.

Implementation Overview

• Scoping CDE, gap analysis, remediation, validation (ASV scans, pentests).
• Applies to all card-handling entities globally; Levels 1 require QSA audits. (178 words)

What It Is

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is a US federal regulation establishing national standards for protecting individuals' health information. It focuses on covered entities (health plans, providers, clearinghouses) and business associates handling protected health information (PHI). Its risk-based approach balances privacy, security, and necessary data flows via Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules.

Key Components

• **Privacy RuleControls PHI uses/disclosures, minimum necessary principle, patient rights.
• **Security RuleAdministrative, physical, technical safeguards for ePHI.
• **Breach Notification RuleTimely reporting of unsecured PHI breaches. Seven pillars include scope, individual rights, business associate governance; no fixed control count, flexible implementation with documentation retention (6 years). Compliance via OCR enforcement, no formal certification.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandated for applicable entities to avoid penalties (up to $2M+ annually); reduces breach risks, builds patient trust, enables secure operations. Strategic benefits: cyber resilience, vendor management, market differentiation.

Implementation Overview

Phased: assess (risk analysis), build (safeguards, training, BAAs), operate (monitoring), assure (audits). Applies to US healthcare organizations of all sizes; ongoing program with OCR audits, no certification.