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Payment security, made clear

PCI Compliance Solutions for Secure, PCI-Compliant Payment Processing

Compliance is a crucial part of payment processing. Every company that processes credit cards, including small businesses, must stay up to date with PCI compliance requirements or risk legal penalties, security breaches, financial losses and damage to reputation.

Speak to Sales Guidance through PCI DSS certification
Understand the standard. Follow the steps.Scroll to explore
The foundation

PCI DSS Compliance for Secure Payment Processing

Any business that accepts credit card payments, including small businesses, must meet PCI DSS compliance requirements, regardless of transaction volume. At BAMS, protecting your customers’ payment data is a top priority. That’s why we require all merchants to become PCI DSS compliant within 90 days of approval, helping small and medium businesses achieve PCI compliance certification efficiently and securely.

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What Is PCI DSS?

Industry-Wide Security Standards

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) applies to any business that stores, processes, or transmits credit card information. It’s designed to safeguard sensitive data and prevent breaches.

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Compliance Required

Protect Your Business and Customers

BAMS mandates PCI DSS compliance within 90 days of approval to help merchants avoid costly penalties, protect sensitive customer data and reduce their vulnerability to cyberattacks.

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Backed by Major Card Brands

Trusted Across the Industry

PCI DSS was developed by American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard and Visa to reduce cardholder data theft. It also covers mobile payment platforms, so if you’re wondering, “Is Apple Pay PCI compliant?” the answer is yes.

The essentials

PCI DSS Compliance Requirements

  • Secure storage and encryption of cardholder data
  • Regular vulnerability scans and security testing
  • Strong access controls and authentication
  • Ongoing monitoring and compliance validation
The path forward

How do I become compliant with the PCI DSS?

As a merchant who stores, processes or transmits payment card data, you are required to be PCI DSS Compliant by the payment brands and BAMS. If you’re wondering how to get PCI compliance, BAMS provides a guided, end-to-end PCI compliance solution that simplifies the certification process for small businesses. One of our experts will help your business become certified upon receipt of your terminal or virtual gateway. We will walk you through these two easy steps to PCI DSS Compliance:

1

Annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire

An annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) determines if you are taking proper precautions to protect your payment card data. Similar to an insurance questionnaire, it can be done via the Internet, or we can provide you with a copy of your SAQ to sign and submit for PCI Compliance.

2

Quarterly Security Scans

Quarterly security scans if your systems are connected to the Internet. The scans look for weaknesses that an attacker might use to access your systems. A PCI-Certified Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), such as BAMS partner, ControlScan, must conduct these scans.

A clearer view of your responsibilities

Security is a payment flow,
not a checkbox.

Explore how payment setup, day-to-day upkeep, and the details behind a PCI fee fit together. Use this as a starting point for a conversation—not a compliance determination.

Customer paying with a contactless card at a checkout protected by PCI compliance
01 / The payment path

Where does card data travel?

Choose the setup that sounds closest to yours. The illustration shows relative involvement—not a scope ruling.

ILLUSTRATIVE PAYMENT FLOW01 / 03
Your site
Provider page
Payment
RESPONSIBILITY LENSOften less direct card-data exposure

The payment provider handles the payment entry page. Your website and how the redirect is set up still matter, and you retain responsibilities for your own systems and provider relationships.

Actual scope depends on your complete environment, configuration, and applicable PCI DSS requirements.

Read about common payment-security gaps
02 / Finding a validation path

Two lenses.
One whole environment.

Transaction volume is one consideration. Where and how card data is handled is another. Together with other details of your payment environment, they inform how you validate.

Explore BAMS’ PCI compliance guide
THE VALIDATION LANDSCAPE
TWO INPUTS, ONE ENVIRONMENT
INPUT 01Transaction volumeHow much card activity?
INPUT 02Data handlingWhere and how is it handled?
CONSIDERED TOGETHERYour validation pathDetermined with your full payment setup in view
CONTEXT MATTERSOther details of your environment inform the picture.

This guide does not identify an SAQ or determine an outcome.

03 / Beyond the first assessment

Keep the picture
up to date.

Your payment environment changes. A simple review rhythm helps you notice when the security picture changes too.

01 CHECK THE SURFACE

Website scripts

Review what runs on checkout pages and who can change it.

02 MAP THE CONNECTIONS

Third-party providers

Know which partners touch the payment flow and what they handle.

03 REVIEW WHO CAN ENTER

Employee access

Revisit access as roles change; keep it appropriate to the work.

04 RETURN TO THE WHOLE

Scans & validation

Track the validation steps and scans that apply to your setup.

ONGOING, NOT ONE-AND-DONEWhy payment environments need regular attention
04 / Know what you’re paying for

A better fee conversation starts with four questions.

PCI-related fees can cover different services. Review each question as you discuss your plan with your provider.

Read BAMS’ guide to PCI compliance fees
YOUR CONVERSATION CHECKLIST

0 of 4 reviewed

QUESTION01 / 04

What does the fee actually cover?

Ask for a clear breakdown of the services included—and any separate charges.

Included services

Checking a question means only that you reviewed it. It does not confirm PCI compliance, certification, or coverage. Your selections are not saved.

Use this as a conversation guide. PCI DSS validation and any applicable scans depend on your actual environment and requirements. Confirm your specific obligations with your acquirer or qualified PCI support partner.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about PCI DSS compliance.

What is PCI DSS compliance?

PCI DSS compliance means meeting the security standards established by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These standards are designed to protect cardholder data and apply to any business that stores, processes, or transmits credit card information. Achieving PCI DSS compliance helps reduce the risk of data breaches, fraud and financial penalties while ensuring secure payment processing.

How do small businesses get PCI compliant?

Small businesses get PCI compliant by completing a few required steps, which typically include filling out an annual PCI DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and completing quarterly security scans if their systems are connected to the internet. Working with a PCI compliance solution provider like BAMS simplifies the process by offering guidance, tools and support to help small businesses meet PCI DSS compliance requirements efficiently. For help identifying the right SAQ, read our Self-Assessment Questionnaire guide.

Do I need PCI compliance if I use a payment gateway?

Yes. Even if you use a PCI-compliant payment gateway, your business is still responsible for maintaining PCI DSS compliance. While a secure payment gateway reduces your scope and risk, merchants must still validate compliance annually and follow required security practices. Using a PCI-compliant payment solution helps streamline compliance, but it does not eliminate the requirement.

How do I get PCI compliance for my business?

To get PCI compliance, businesses must first determine which Self-Assessment Questionnaire applies to their payment environment. From there, they must complete the SAQ, address any security gaps and complete quarterly scans if applicable. BAMS helps businesses get PCI compliant by providing step-by-step guidance, secure PCI-compliant payment solutions and access to trusted scanning partners. Use our guide to checking your PCI compliance as a starting point.

How long do I have to become PCI compliant with BAMS?

BAMS requires all merchants to become PCI DSS compliant within 90 days of approval. One of our experts will help your business become certified once you receive your terminal or virtual gateway.

Who created the PCI DSS?

PCI DSS was developed by American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard and Visa to reduce cardholder data theft. See how security choices affect your business in our payment security comparison.

Is Apple Pay PCI compliant?

Yes. PCI DSS also covers mobile payment platforms, so Apple Pay is PCI compliant. Learn about accepting Apple Pay with BAMS.

What are the PCI DSS compliance requirements?

PCI DSS requires secure storage and encryption of cardholder data, regular vulnerability scans and security testing, strong access controls and authentication, plus ongoing monitoring and compliance validation. To understand related payment costs, compare BAMS pricing.

Who performs the quarterly security scans?

If your systems are connected to the Internet, quarterly scans look for weaknesses that an attacker might use to access your systems. A PCI-Certified Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), such as BAMS partner ControlScan, must conduct these scans. For online sellers, our guide to choosing a PCI-compliant gateway can help.

Why does BAMS require PCI DSS compliance?

BAMS mandates PCI DSS compliance to help merchants avoid costly penalties, protect sensitive customer data and reduce their vulnerability to cyberattacks. See how Chargeback Defense also helps protect your revenue.
Further reading

Related Fraud Prevention Articles

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Need Help With The PCI Compliance Certification Process? Contact BAMS today!

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