Storing Credit Card Information: How Many Digits and Which Digits Are Permitted for Database Reference?

Storing credit card information is subject to strict regulations primarily governed by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Compliance with these standards is imperative, and the specifics can often generate different perspectives and interpretations. This article will delve into the intricacies of storing credit card data and provide insights into the permitted digits and storage practices.

PCI DSS and Compliance

The PCI DSS applies to all entities involved in payment card processing—merchants, processors, acquirers, issuers, and service providers. Compliance is mandatory from the moment you deal with payment cards. The standard emphasizes the need to render stored card data unreadable and protect sensitive information (PCI-DSS Requirement 3.4).

Card Information Storage Permissions

Let's break down the storage permissions for different aspects of a credit card:

Card Number (PAN)

You can store the first six digits and the last four digits of the card number. The middle digits must be masked or not stored to comply with PCI DSS standards. This is because full card numbers are considered sensitive data and must be handled with great care.

Cardholder Name, Expiration Date, and Service Code

These elements should generally not be stored. However, if there is a specific business need, they must be protected according to PCI DSS standards. The wording of the standard suggests that even partial storage of these elements could be problematic.

Security Measures and Best Practices

If you do store any credit card information, strong security measures must be implemented. These include:

Encryption Access controls Regular security assessments

Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in significant penalties, including fines and loss of business.

Different Interpretations of the Question

The question "How many digits and which digits of a credit card is one permitted to store in a database for reference?" can be interpreted in two ways:

Permission Compliance Question

This interpretation seeks to understand the maximum number of card digits that can be stored while remaining compliant with PCI DSS. According to PCI DSS, you can store all digits but must “render stored data unreadable per Requirement 3.4.” Truncating the data (storing only part of it) still requires adherence to this requirement.

Technical Question

This approach is more nuanced and considers practical use cases. The answer depends on what you intend to reference:

If you want to reference the transaction, you might not need the PAN and could use a unique transaction ID. If you want to reference the card uniquely, avoid collisions by using the full card number. If you want to reference the issuer, the first six digits are necessary. If you want to reference the card scheme or network, consider the card scheme's specific requirements.

Each of these scenarios requires a different approach and understanding of the compliance requirements.

Conclusion

Storing credit card information is a complex and regulated process. Understanding the PCI DSS guidelines and consulting with legal and compliance experts is essential. The nuances in the standard highlight the importance of adhering to best practices and maintaining data security at all times.

Remember, the goal is to balance the need for reference data with the stringent requirements of data protection to ensure compliance and safeguard sensitive information.