Not every merchant is required to have an on-site security assessment, and for those companies who are permitted to self-evaluate their business, there is the Self Assessment Questionnaire. The Payment Card Industry Self Assessment Questionnaire (PCI SAQ) is a validation tool that can help a merchant discover their own weak points and demonstrate their compliance with the PCI DSS.
There are multiple versions of the Self Assessment Questionnaire to meet the various scenarios in the business world. Originally there was only a single questionnaire, but the multiple versions were created to better address the individualized needs of different merchants.
The original version of the PCI SAQ was created along the lines of a one-size-fits-all model. But as of February, the new Self Assessment Questionnaire 1.1 was released. Any SAQ submissions after April 30, 2008 must be completed using this new version. The four new versions of the SAQ are:
SAQ A: Addresses requirements applicable to merchants who have outsourced all processing, transmission, and storage of cardholder data.
SAQ B: Addresses requirements pertinent to merchants who process cardholder data via imprint machines or standalone dial-up terminals only.
SAQ C: Focuses on requirements applicable to merchants whose payment applications systems are connected to the Internet.
SAQ D: Addresses requirements relevant to all service providers defined by a payment brand as eligible to complete an SAQ and those merchants who do not fall under the types addressed by SAQ A, B, or C.
At Braintree Payment Solutions we offer a wide range of services that can help you quickly and effectively reach PCI compliance. We offer:
Outsourcing all your payment processing needs to Braintree means that you can qualify for the first Self Assessment Questionnaire. This is a simple and effective way to demonstrate your compliance. You can also download our example SAQ A Version 1.1 and see how simple it is.
If you’d like to learn more about the Self Assessment Questionnaire, and how it applies to your business, contact a Braintree representative today.
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