PCI DSS
Global standard securing payment cardholder data environments
POPIA
South Africa’s regulation for protecting personal information.
Quick Verdict
PCI DSS secures payment card data contractually for global merchants, mandating 12 requirements and audits. POPIA regulates all personal information processing legally in South Africa, enforcing 8 conditions and rights. Companies adopt PCI DSS for card acceptance; POPIA to avoid fines and ensure privacy.
PCI DSS
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard v4.0
Key Features
- 12 requirements across 6 control objectives protect cardholder data
- Over 300 granular sub-requirements ensure technical precision
- Transaction-volume levels dictate merchant/provider validation rigor
- Mandates network segmentation minimizing CDE scope
- Requires quarterly ASV scans annual penetration testing
POPIA
Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act 4 of 2013)
Key Features
- Eight conditions for lawful processing
- Protects juristic persons as data subjects
- Mandatory Information Officer appointment
- Continuous security risk management cycle
- Breach notification to Regulator and subjects
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
PCI DSS Details
What It Is
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a contractual industry framework managed by the PCI Security Standards Council. It mandates security for organizations storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data (CHD) and sensitive authentication data (SAD). Primary purpose: protect payment card data via control-based requirements, applicable globally to merchants and service providers.
Key Components
- 12 core requirements grouped into 6 control objectives (secure network, protect data, vulnerability management, access control, monitoring/testing, policies).
- Over 300 sub-requirements with testing procedures.
- Compliance via SAQs (Levels 2-4) or QSA-led ROCs (Level 1), plus ASV scans.
- v4.0 adds customized approaches, MFA emphasis.
Why Organizations Use It
- Contractual obligation enforced by card brands/acquirers with fines, privilege loss.
- Reduces breach costs ($37/record avg.), builds trust.
- Enhances risk management, aligns with GDPR.
- Competitive edge via compliance badges.
Implementation Overview
- **Assess-Repair-Report cyclescope CDE, gap analysis, remediate, validate.
- Key activities: segmentation, encryption, patching, training.
- Applies to all card-handling entities; 3-12 months typical, ongoing maintenance.
POPIA Details
What It Is
POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act 4 of 2013)) is South Africa’s comprehensive privacy regulation. It establishes minimum requirements for processing personal information of living natural persons and juristic persons, using an accountability-based approach with eight conditions for lawful processing.
Key Components
- **Eight conditionsAccountability, processing limitation, purpose specification, further processing limitation, information quality, openness, security safeguards, data subject participation.
- Built on principles like data minimization, transparency, and security.
- Overseen by the Information Regulator; no formal certification but requires demonstrable compliance via audits and documentation.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal compliance to avoid fines up to ZAR 10 million and imprisonment.
- Manages risks from breaches and data subject rights.
- Builds trust, enables GDPR-aligned operations, and supports B2B data handling.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, data mapping, governance, controls, training.
- Applies universally to South African processing; risk-based for all sizes.
Key Differences
| Aspect | PCI DSS | POPIA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Payment card data security (CHD/SAD) | All personal information processing |
| Industry | Payment processing, merchants globally | All sectors in South Africa |
| Nature | Contractual standard, enforced by brands | Mandatory national privacy law |
| Testing | Quarterly ASV scans, annual pentests | Risk assessments, security verification |
| Penalties | Fines, loss of processing privileges | ZAR 10M fines, imprisonment |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PCI DSS and POPIA
PCI DSS FAQ
POPIA FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
Beyond the Checkbox: Why Maturity Assessments are the Secret to Sustainable Compliance
Discover why maturity assessments beat binary compliance checks by uncovering hidden gaps and enabling continuous improvement for sustainable success. Read now!
Top 5 Reasons HITRUST CSF's MyCSF Platform Crushes Evidence Overload for R2 Assessments in Hybrid Cloud Environments
Explore top 5 advantages of HITRUST MyCSF for 1,400+ R2 controls in hybrid clouds. Slash docs by 30%, dodge under-scoping, achieve continuous compliance for hea
DORA Third-Party Risk Management: A Consultant’s Guide to Mapping Critical ICT Service Providers in 2026
Navigate DORA's complex third-party risk pillar. Step-by-step consultant guide to identify critical ICT providers, remediate Article 30 contracts, and build the
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
REACH vs EU AI Act
Compare REACH vs EU AI Act: Decode EU's chemical & AI compliance giants. Master risks, strategies & implementation for market access. Unlock insights now!
BRC vs IATF 16949
Discover BRC vs IATF 16949: Compare food safety (BRCGS) standards with automotive QMS for key clauses, audits & compliance. Choose the right certification for your industry success.
CAA vs APRA CPS 234
Compare CAA vs APRA CPS 234: Clean Air Act env compliance vs Australia's cyber security std. Exec guide: strategies, pitfalls, implementation for resilience & risk mgmt. Dive in now.