PCI SSF

Payment Card Industry Software Security Framework

A comprehensive set of security standards developed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). It replaces the older PA-DSS (Payment Application Data Security Standard) and is designed to address the security of payment software in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The PCI SSF consists of two main components:

1. Secure Software Standard (SSS): This part of the framework outlines the security requirements that payment software must meet, including protections like secure authentication, encryption, and access controls.
2. Secure Software Lifecycle (SLC) Standard: This ensures that software developers follow secure processes throughout the development and maintenance of the software. It covers everything from coding practices to vulnerability management to ensure long-term security.

The PCI SSF aims to provide a more flexible, scalable approach to securing payment software, allowing it to address a broader range of software types and architectures. It supports modern development methodologies and is designed to be adaptable to emerging security threats.

This framework provides guidance for securing new and existing payment applications, helping vendors ensure the security of their software throughout its lifecycle.