FTC Launches Study Of Assessment Process For Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards

On March 7, the FTC announced a study of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard ("PCI DSS") assessments – the audits required of certain merchants pursuant to rules imposed by payment card brands such as Visa and MasterCard. As part of this study, the FTC issued orders to provide information to nine data security auditors.¹ While the FTC announcement does not specify a motivation for the study or how its results might be used, the level of detail of the FTC's questions and the depth of required responses suggests that the FTC's interest in the PCI DSS is more than a passing one. Companies required to maintain PCI DSS certification should be aware of the possibility that FTC involvement could lead to changes in the PCI DSS certification process, including a more stringent, and costly, assessment process.