While having only 12 requirements might make PCI DSS seem like a simple standard, each requirement is incredibly important and, if you aren’t paying attention, can specify practices you aren’t implementing. In the case of the third requirement, this could mean that you’re not actually protecting the most critical data that is in your possession–that is, the private and financial information of your customers.

Therefore, if you want to avoid scandal, fraud, and the loss of your customers’ trust, you must follow the third PCI DSS requirement. With the continued launch of PCI DSS 4.0, we’re now moving on to a discussion of the third PCI DSS requirement.