Who is required to comply with PCI DSS?

The requirement to comply with PCI DSS extends to all organizations that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information. This comprehensive definition means that any business, regardless of its size or industry, is accountable for safeguarding payment card data if they have any interaction with it. This includes not only traditional brick-and-mortar retailers but also service providers, online merchants, and any entity that manages cardholder data.

Understanding this broad applicability is crucial as PCI DSS is designed to ensure the security of credit card transactions and protect cardholder data from breaches. The framework exists to mitigate risks associated with card fraud, which can impact any organization that handles payment information. By obligating all relevant entities to comply with these standards, PCI DSS aims to establish a consistent and robust security environment across the payment card ecosystem.