The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a security standard which at Tier 1 Certification and compliance ensures unbeatable security & protection of sensitive customer information including credit cards. The requirements for Tier 1 Certification include: Security management policies, Security policies, Network architecture, Software Design, Critical Protective Measures.

Websites go through a rigorous INDEPENDENT audit and signficant investment to attain Tier 1 PCI DSS certification. The purpose is to ensure that their customers' data is as safe as possible when they purchase products online.

All websites that have the logo above are PCI Compliant. This is a standard that should be implemented by all websites, but in most instances is not. All sites on the Venda platform (a website provider) are Tier 1 PCI DSS Certified, which means that they have the top level of security protection. Audits are continuously carried out on all of them to ensure that Tier 1 Security & Protection are made.

The PCI Security Standards website is the best place to find further information. A link to this website can be found here. Venda is the only global website provider to provide enterprise wide PCI DSS Tier 1 Certification, so be careful about what websites write in their security and protection policies. Websites might claim to have PCI DSS certification, but because the practice is not legally enforceable, many companies try to bend the rules so that they do not have to invest in the rigorous audit process.

Tier 1 Certification is the ONLY level of PCI DSS compliance that is INDEPENDENTLY audited (i.e. not by the company itself), so if you are unsure ask the question of the website you shop on.