A security standard established by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) that protects payment card data by encrypting it from the point where a card is swiped, inserted, or tapped at a terminal until it reaches the secure decryption endpoint.
Key Aspects of P2PE
- Encryption at the point of interaction: Card data is encrypted as soon as it enters the payment system (e.g., at a payment terminal or card reader).
- Secure decryption: The data can only be decrypted at a secure, designated endpoint, making it almost impossible for hackers to intercept and use sensitive card information during transmission.
- Simplified PCI DSS Compliance: Merchants using a PCI-validated P2PE solution can greatly reduce the scope of their PCI DSS compliance obligations, as the encryption removes sensitive cardholder data from their environment.
By implementing a P2PE solution, businesses significantly lower the risk of data breaches and fraud, as sensitive payment information remains encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorized parties throughout the transaction process.