If your ecommerce website deals with credit card transactions, you will eventually encounter a PCI DSS audit. These security audits can be intimidating, but if you know how to secure your website, there are easy ways to adhere to PCI DSS compliance standards. Below is an overview of what you should know as you undergo your first PCI DSS audit. What is a PCI DSS Audit? PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards) are the baseline by which websites that deal with credit card transactions are measured. They’re a set of standards that helps your website maintain its integrity and, moreover, help your customers protect their secure data. Occasionally, a QSA (Qualified Security Assessor) will perform a PCI DSS compliance audit on your website, performing a series of transactions that will test whether your website adheres to PCI DSS compliance standards. What a PCI DSS Auditor Will Look For An auditor will be looking for several security features in your website. First of all, your auditor will check to make sure you have a decent Firewall set up that will help your website avoid viruses and other threats. Next, the main thing they’ll look for is the steps you’re taking to protect credit card holder data. This means encrypting all user data with SSL secure encryption, at a minimum. Finally, they’ll look for access control measures, an information security policy, and the ability to test your network. Every ecommerce website Clarity develops adheres to PCI DSS compliance standards, so you’ll never have to worry about your audit. Other Steps That Will Ensure PCI DSS Compliance PCI DSS standards can seem confusing. However, if you work with a trusted web development professional, you will have no trouble adhering to PCI DSS compliance and surviving your security audit. Every ecommerce website Clarity develops adheres to PCI DSS compliance standards, so you’ll never have to worry about your audit. Speak to a Clarity representative about how we can help you adhere to these and other security standards. Find out more about Clarity VenturesSee our Enterprise Web portfolio