Glossary of Compliance

Compliance Glossary

Our list of curated compliance glossary offers everything you to know about compliance in one place.

Glossary » PCI DSS » PCI SSF

PCI SSF

PCI SSF, or the PCI Software Security Framework, has a significant impact on software vendors. It blends traditional and modern security requirements and is designed to work with the latest technology and development methods. It covers old and new security practices for payment applications.

PCI SSF allows software vendors to offer PCI-validated payment software. This validates the software’s security and compliance with PCI DSS. 

The difference between PA DSS and PCI SSF

PCI SSF has a broader scope, covering the entire payment card industry, which includes merchants, service providers, and payment processors. In contrast, PA DSS focuses specifically on payment applications.

The way these frameworks are put into action also differs. 

PCI SSF follows a self-assessment-based approach. It is more about evaluating compliance with the PCI DSS using the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Meanwhile, PA DSS takes a vendor-assessment-based approach. Payment application vendors are responsible for ensuring that their products meet the PA DSS requirements and must undergo a PA DSS assessment.

PCI SSF is for organizations that rely on software to process card payments. If you’re a software developer creating apps for stores or a vendor selling such software, the PCI SSF likely applies to you. The PCI SSF provides security rules for companies handling sensitive payment data, helping them secure their software and support security controls in card payment processing.

Additional reading

Top Cybersecurity Training Programs to Enhance Your Team’s Security Skills

Your strongest defences are only as effective as your employees enforcing them. Malicious actors often use weak practices as entry points for cyber attacks. Most of these are exploitable weaknesses such as weak passwords, shadow IT, and unguarded devices. This is where cybersecurity training can be the difference. It forms the initial layer of security….

HIPAA Compliance Officer Job Role and Responsibilities

TL,DR: A HIPAA compliance officer develops, implements, and oversees the compliance program with two functions: a Privacy Officer handling PHI policies and breach investigations, and a Security Officer managing technical safeguards and vulnerability assessments HIPAA applies to covered entities (hospitals, providers, health plans), business associates (IT vendors with PHI access), and subcontractors. Ransomware attacks against…

What Is Policy Management? A Fad or a Must-have?

Imagine this: You’re updating a company-wide policy. Legal sends one version, HR forwards another, and the security team uses an older copy saved months ago. You assume everyone’s aligned until an auditor asks for proof of acknowledgment, and no one can trace who signed what. Things fall through when policies live in too many places,…

Sprinto: Your growth superpower

Use Sprinto to centralize security compliance management – so nothing
gets in the way of your moving up and winning big.

Contact sales