What PCI DSS Is and Why It Exists

This lesson introduces PCI DSS as the payment card industry’s global baseline for protecting payment account data. It explains why the standard exists, who it applies to, what kinds of data it is designed to protect, and how it fits into the broader payment ecosystem.

Learners will distinguish PCI DSS from laws, audits, and general cybersecurity frameworks. They will also learn why PCI DSS compliance is not a one-time certificate, but an ongoing security and evidence discipline tied to how an organization stores, processes, transmits, or can affect the security of cardholder data.