PCI compliance

What is PCI DSS compliance?

PCI Compliance refers to adherence to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. It applies to merchants of all sizes that accept card payments.

Why is PCI compliance important?

PCI compliance helps prevent data breaches, reduces the risk of financial fraud, and builds trust with customers. By following PCI DSS, businesses protect sensitive cardholder data and avoid costly penalties or reputational damage associated with non-compliance.

What are the 4 levels of PCI compliance?

The PCI DSS outlines four compliance levels based on the number of card transactions a business processes annually:

• Level 1: Over 6 million transactions/year
• Level 2: 1 to 6 million transactions/year
• Level 3: 20,000 to 1 million transactions/year
• Level 4: Fewer than 20,000 transactions/year

Each level requires different validation steps, ranging from self-assessment questionnaires to on-site audits.

Example of PCI compliance

An online store processing 50,000 transactions annually must follow Level 3 PCI compliance, which typically includes completing a self-assessment questionnaire and running regular vulnerability scans.

Driftcharge Tip

Even if you’re a small merchant, PCI compliance isn’t optional. Use a payment gateway that is PCI-compliant by default to reduce your scope and simplify the compliance process.

Ganesh Pawar

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Ganesh Pawar is the founder of Driftcharge, a subscription management app designed to help Shopify merchants streamline and scale their subscription businesses. With a deep focus on solving real-world pain points—like legacy account page support, flexible subscription options, and advanced analytics—Ganesh is passionate about building tools that drive growth and retention.