What is PCI Compliance in the Cloud – Detailed Guide

While cloud services ease conducting business for organizations of all sizes, they present certain challenges in terms of security and vulnerabilities. Data breaches can result in loss of sensitive information, legal action, penalties, and loss of trust of customers. 

Ensuring that cloud services are securely designed, monitored, and utilized is a responsibility shared between the client and the cloud provider. We should note that not all cloud service providers offer equal services.

With regulatory standards mandated for nearly every industry, it’s no surprise that being compliant is the top priority for organizations. In the following post, we’ll outline some challenges as well as suggestions for achieving PCI compliance in the cloud. 

What is PCI compliant cloud?

The PCI DSS in the cloud, provides a set of security controls made mandatory for merchants by the major credit card brands if that merchant is accepting credit card payments or online payments.

PCI DSS outlines a set of business best practices and network security guidelines implemented by the PCI Security Standards Council to establish and maintain a “minimum security standard” to safeguard customers’ payment card information.

Check out this video on what’s new in PCI DSS 4.0:

Why should your cloud be PCI-compliant?

Your cloud should be PCI-compliant to ensure the safety of cardholder data and online transactions while avoiding fines and penalties charged in case of non-compliance

If your organization stores credit card information in the cloud, you have to maintain PCI compliance. In such scenarios, you have to implement strong encryption measures and some very specific items, as required by the PCI council, to meet industry standards. 

PCI is a shared responsibility model similar to most compliance regulations supported by a cloud provider. That means that you, as well as your provider, are responsible for ensuring specific layers of the environment to meet compliance standards. 

Generally, you are responsible for operating systems, user applications, database data, software, and the virtual infrastructure. Your provider is responsible for the physical infrastructure. 

Ensure PCI cloud compliance through the entire lifecycle with the checklist below.

Top 3 PCI compliant cloud service providers

Similar to most cloud compliance regulations, PCI is a shared responsibility model between the cloud provider and the host for ensuring specific layers of the environment fulfil compliance standards. 

Let’s dive into three of the best PCI-compliant web hosting companies that fulfill PCI compliance standards.

Bluehost

Bluehost is a web hosting company that is beginner-friendly and supports PCI compliance across all its plans. With some configuration and guidance, no matter which service you choose, you can pass your PCI scan successfully.

If you’re using WordPress or WooCommerce, it’s opting for the WooCommerce hosting option as it provides additional security features, such as:

• Domain Protection
• Free SSL certificates
• Secure online payments
• A dedicated IP address

WP Engine

WP Engine follows and maintains PCI DSS v3.2 standards across all its cloud servers. An expert team is available around the clock for PCI guidance. Note that the company doesn’t store or handle cardholder information, and as per its Acceptable Use Policy, you are prohibited from doing so as well.

WP Engine offers quick-loading, WordPress-managed hosting with the following features:

• Support for staging sites
• Easy site migration
• Consistently solid performance
• Free SSL certificates

DreamHost

DreamHost’s sites, as well as servers, are PCI compliant. The company doesn’t provide much information on this topic, and it encourages organizations to contact their payment processor for advice. However, when hosting your site with DreamHost, once you obtain your PCI certification, you become fully compliant.

In case you’re running an e-commerce store, you should go for DreamHosts’s managed WordPress solutions. They provide excellent performance as well as useful eCommerce features, such as:

• Automatic caching
• Free SSL certificates
• Automatic WordPress updates
• Jetpack integration, in addition to DreamHost’s own backup solution, including Jetpack Backup for secure off-site backups

Automate your PCI compliance journey with Sprinto

Becoming PCI compliant is a priority for businesses dealing with cardholder data. With over a dozen security requirements and 300 rigorous security controls(as required by PCI),  doing so alone can be a challenging task, consuming an organization’s significant time and resources.

As a recognized leader in security compliance and cloud compliance by G2, Sprinto makes your PCI DSS journey a breeze. The platform helps you stay ahead of compliance requirements by affording you granular visibility over security controls, automating multiple facets of compliance, and simplifying the implementation of security best practices.

Let’s show you how it’s done. Speak to our experts today.