The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Self Assessment Questionnaire (PCI DSS SAQ) is a tool for merchants and service providers to self-evaluate their compliance with the PCI DSS Requirements. The PCI SAQ was crafted for merchants that are not required to undergo an on-site data security assessment. It is required by a merchant's acquirer or payment brand.
There are multiple versions of the SAQ to fit different business categories. For instance, version "A" applies to card-not present (e-commerce or mail/telephone order) merchants where all cardholder data functions are outsourced, whereas version "C" applies to businesses with point-of-sale systems connected to the internet with no electronic cardholder data storage. Merchants who store cardholder data on their computer systems are required to answer the most comprehensive and lengthy version "D" which consists of over 220 questions. The SAQ can be difficult to understand and time consuming to answer.
Element's PCI DSS-compliant payment processing solutions including end-to-end encryption and PASS tokenization technology help merchants qualify for SAQ "C" which contains significantly fewer questions (only 41 as compared to 223 required by SAQ "D"). This will save you time when completing the SAQ. Most importantly, you will gain the confidence that your payment transactions are protected by the most secure payment solutions available.
Element sits on the PCI Security Standards Council; that means we are always up-to-date with the very latest security requirements. Our PCI DSS experts have the answers to your questions. Contact us now for more information about PCI DSS compliance and the PCI SAQ.