Page 8 - TrailerTalk April 2024 Edition - LR

TRAILERTALK

Strengthen Your Defense Against Phishing

Attacks Through PCI Compliance

In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, staying ahead is not just a involved with payment card data.
choice; it’s a necessity. As businesses navigate the intricate landscape
of information protection, compliance with PCI DSS V4.0 regulations Securing data is essential for any business that transacts payments, and
becomes paramount, especially in the battle against phishing attacks. the PCI guidelines are an effective way for you to do this and show your
users that you are doing what you can to protect them.
PCI DSS V4.0 AND THE IMPERATIVE OF ANTI- Anti-Spoofing Controls: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
PHISHING
To address the specific requirements outlined in Section 5.4.1,
As consumers continue to adopt e-commerce and e-commerce
specialized IT companies including Paladin Business Consulting, LLC
providers streamline the ecommerce buying process, the systems used
focus on implementing advanced anti-spoofing controls:
to process online card payments become popular targets for hacking
and fraud. To combat this, in 2001, the PCI SSC was created. The PCI 1. Sender Policy Framework (SPF): Verifies the authenticity of
SSC is a joint venture between Visa, Mastercard, American Express, the sender’s email, ensuring it originates from an authorized
Discover, and JCB which created the Payment Card Industry Data server.
Security Standard (PCI DSS). This standard requires any company that
2. DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM): Adds a digital signature
works with payment card information, whether collecting it, storing it,
to emails, guaranteeing the message’s integrity during transit.
processing it, or transferring it, to take certain actions to protect that
data. 3. Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting &
Conformance (DMARC): Provides an additional layer of
Section 5.4 of PCI DSS V4.0 underscores the importance of robust
email authentication, enabling organizations to set policies
anti-phishing mechanisms. To safeguard your business, suppliers, and
for handling unauthenticated emails.
financial partners, compliance with this regulation is not just a goal – it’s
a mandate. Effective March 2025, it extends beyond traditional security ABOUT THE AUTHOR
awareness training, necessitating the implementation of processes and For more information about remaining secure and compliant with
automated mechanisms to detect and protect against phishing attacks. cybersecurity measures, contact Rex Benfield at (828) 322-2074

or email rex@paladinbc.net. Benfield will present a concurrent session
Because the members of the PCI SSC account for most card transactions, “Effective Controls and Cyber Security Best Practices” during the 34th
they have the power to fine non-compliant companies and even Annual NTDA Convention on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 at the Renaissance
revoke their rights to process payment card data. That, in addition to Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, CA.
the obvious costs to public reputation and subsequent loss of business
following a data breach, makes PCI compliance critical for any business Continued on Page 10

8