Top 15 Best PCI Compliant Web Hosting

Any organization or enterprise that wishes to conduct its business on the World Wide Web will probably need a PCI compliant web hosting service. While a PCI compliant webhosting service is not necessary per say, it is necessary for those who wish to use any type of card that falls under major brands like Visa, MasterCard, American Express and so on. Without PCI compliance a website will be restricted to using third party payment processors such as PayPal.

Most people do not understand what PCI really is all about. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding PCI compliance.

What is PCI?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is basically an industry standard for data security. Credit card companies are very much afraid of the costs that they might incur should a credit cardholder’s information fall into the wrong hands. Usually, hackers target credit cardholders in order to acquire information and use it for their own advantage, hence the need for PCI DSS.

Any ecommerce website that would want to use a credit card as one of their payment methods will definitely need a PCI compliant hosting provider. It must be noted that having an SSL certificate does not automatically qualify a website or host for being PCI compliant.

What are the requirements of PCI?

The only way a website can become PCI compliant is by simply passing certain requirements. The current version of the PCI standards was released back in October 2010 and is known as version 2.0. There are basically twelve requirements that a webhost or website needs to pass in order to be PCI compliant. These are the requirements that a PCI compliant hosting provider or website needs to fulfill in order to be validated as being PCI compliant.

1. Conducting regular tests on all security processes and systems
2. Developing and maintaining secure applications and systems.
3. Using encryption systems to secure data transfer across public networks.
4. Protecting cardholder information stored within the system.
5. Using a firewall to safeguard cardholder information.
6. Giving each user a unique username or ID.
7. Not using default security passwords and parameters which are assigned by vendors.
8. Confining card holder information on a need to know basis.
9. Maintaining constant surveillance of access to cardholder information and the network’s resources.
10. Set into place policies addressing information security.
11. Constraining all physical access to cardholder information
12. Employing and maintaining an anti-virus system with its virus definitions being updated on a regular basis.

What are the alternative options?

There is basically one other option for ecommerce businesses. Third parties like PayPal process payments for websites. Third parties such as these basically represent the only realistic option for ecommerce websites to conduct their business transactions.

Some websites that cannot comply with PCI standards and forego third party options often do their transactions by mail. Although most people would find such a method of payment dubious at best, which is why finding a PCI compliant web hosting service is of paramount important for any ecommerce website.

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Top 15 Best PCI Compliant Web Hosting:

RACKSPACE

Rackspace is here to help you navigate this challenging process, taking you from compliance planning through implementation.

RACKSPACE

NEXCESS

Are you running an eCommerce shop and need hosting that’s fully compliant with PCI-DSS 2.0? Don’t put your cardholders (and business) at risk. At Nexcess, PCI compliance is where security begins, but not where it ends. We custom-design secure, isolated server environments that fit snuggly to your needs.

NEXCESS

SINGLEHOP

With SingleHop PCI-DSS Compliance Ready Infrastructure your clients financial and personal information will always be protected. Our engineers can design and deploy PCI compliance based solutions to suit your requirements.

SINGLEHOP

EUKHOST

eUKhost supports PCI compliant hosting on its Linux and Windows Servers with advanced features in order to accommodate requirements of online ecommerce websites.

EUKHOST

SHOPIFY

Shopify powers online stores and includes PCI DSS compliant shopping cart software and ecommerce hosting. Learn more about PCI compliance and Shopify.

SHOPIFY

NIMBUSHOSTING

The STORM Control Panel, built by Nimbus Hosting, makes PCI DSS Compliant Hosting no hassle with a single click to enable. From £30 per month and Free Trial.

NIMBUSHOSTING

KRYSTAL

Full PCI-DSS compliance is required by businesses to process credit card payments securely and reduce card fraud. If your business or ecommerce store saves credit card details or processes transactions on the server then you should be using a PCI-DSS compliant hosting provider.

KRYSTAL

LIQUIDWEB

Liquid Web helps businesses design secure hosting environment and provides PCI scanning services. Ensure your sensitive data is safe, order a scan today!