PCI DSS Email Compliance: Your DMARC Strategy for 4.0

Blog

Ensure PCI DSS email compliance with our guide to the new 4.0 standard. Learn how DMARC is essential for protecting cardholder data and avoiding fines.

by Ahona Rudra

Reading Time: 6 min
PCI DSS Email Compliance: Your DMARC Strategy for 4.0
Table Of Contents−

DMARC implementation is recommended as a “good practice” under PCI DSS version 4.0, complementing other security measures as part of a comprehensive approach to email protection and fraud prevention. This initiative by the Payment Card Industry aims to strengthen payment security for all entities handling, storing, or processing cardholder data. DMARC plays a pivotal role in helping companies prevent email-based attacks like phishing and spoofing, protecting sensitive information exchanged via email.

While DMARC, in conjunction with other precautions, is described as an example of good practices under the current version of the PCI DSS, it is not mandated or otherwise required by the PCI DSS. However, adopting DMARC as part of your email security strategy can significantly enhance domain protection, prevent phishing attacks, and ensure better email deliverability—key aspects of a robust cybersecurity framework that can complement your PCI DSS compliance efforts.

Key Takeaways

  • The PCI DSS v4.0 recommends DMARC implementation for organizations handling or processing card payments
  • DMARC helps organizations safeguard against phishing and email spoofing attacks.
  • PCI DSS mentions implementing DMARC, SPF, and DKIM alongside other anti-phishing controls for robust email security.
  • Achieving compliance with PCI DSS v4.0 is essential for protecting cardholder data and ensuring secure payment transactions.
  • Early DMARC enforcement can build trust, enhance email deliverability, and reduce email-based security risks.

What Is PCI DSS Email Compliance?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a global set of security standards designed for any organization that handles branded credit cards.

When it comes to email compliance, PCI DSS isn’t just about avoiding sending card numbers through email. The bigger risk lies in phishing and business email compromise (BEC) attacks, where criminals impersonate a company’s domain to trick employees or customers into giving away sensitive payment details.

Ensuring compliance means protecting the email channel itself so that attackers can’t use it to initiate data breaches. Without securing your domain, organizations risk violations of PCI DSS and the serious consequences that follow.

PCI DSS 4.0 compliance

PCI DSS 4.0 focuses on protecting cardholder data by requiring secure environments, strong access controls, and encryption. It emphasizes safeguards such as firewalls, antivirus tools, and secure coding practices, along with ongoing monitoring through scans, testing, and employee training. 

Under 4.0, preventing phishing and domain spoofing is critical, making controls like PCI DSS DMARC essential since email filters alone are no longer sufficient to ensure compliance.

Key Requirements for PCI DSS Compliance

PCI DSS sets out core requirements to ensure the secure handling of payment card data. Key compliance measures include:

  • Avoiding Sending Cardholder Data via Email: PCI DSS strictly prohibits transmitting card numbers or sensitive data through unsecured email.
  • Implementing End-to-End Encryption: Protects payment data in transit from being intercepted.
  • Utilizing Secure Data Solutions: Ensures storage and processing of cardholder information in compliant systems.
  • Securing Your Email Systems: Prevents attackers from impersonating your brand through phishing or spoofing, reducing the risk of data breaches.

How to Implement DMARC for PCI DSS Compliance with PowerDMARC

DMARC, while not a sole requirement, complements PCI DSS compliance efforts. Implementing DMARC can be streamlined with PowerDMARC’s suite of hosted email authentication solutions. Here’s how:

  1. Hosted DMARC Services: PowerDMARC’s hosted services help you meet PCI DSS version 4 compliance through easy and automated DMARC, SPF, and DKIM implementation.
  2. Comprehensive DMARC Reporting & Monitoring: PowerDMARC provides detailed, simplified DMARC aggregate and forensic reports. This enables you to audit your email channels and maintain an evidence-based approach to compliance.
  3. Simplified Compliance Management: With automated processes and an easy-to-navigate dashboard, PowerDMARC helps you manage and document your PCI DSS compliance efforts efficiently, saving time and resources.

Consequences for Not Implementing DMARC

While PCI DSS does not impose direct penalties for not implementing DMARC, organizations may face significant cybersecurity risks.

Failure to implement DMARC may result in: 

  1. Increased risk of cyber attacks: Failure to implement DMARC leaves your domain name vulnerable to spoofing, phishing, and impersonation. 
  2. Poor email deliverability: Without authentication, your email deliverability may take a hit, leading to increased email bounce rates. 
  3. Damaged reputation: Increased risk of phishing attacks may damage your brand reputation and reduce customer trust. 

Affected industries

PCI DSS compliance applies to any organization that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data. While all entities handling payments must comply, certain industries are especially vulnerable because they deal with high volumes of sensitive data or are frequent targets of fraud.

Key industries affected include:

  • E-Commerce and retail 
  • Finance and banking 
  • Hospitality 
  • Healthcare 
  • Third-party service providers

Simplify Security with PowerDMARC!

Start 15-day trial Book a demo

Why PCI DSS Compliance is Essential for Businesses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP3IYEpcqC8

The PCI Data Security Standards are a comprehensive set of security standards that aim to ensure the protection of cardholders’ data during payment card transactions.

  • Protecting cardholders’ data: The PCI DSS’s primary goal is to safeguard cardholders’ sensitive information during payment card transactions, preventing unauthorized access or theft.
  • Establishing secure payment card environments: The standard outlines requirements for merchants to establish and maintain secure payment card environments, including secure network infrastructure, access controls, and encryption.
  • Implementing appropriate safeguards: PCI DSS mandates specific security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and secure coding practices to protect cardholder data.
  • Maintaining ongoing security practices: The PCI DSS emphasizes the importance of continuously monitoring and maintaining security measures, including regular vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and security awareness training for employees.
  • Ensuring compliance across the payment card industry: The PCI Data Security Standards provide a unified framework for compliance, ensuring consistent security measures across the payment card industry and promoting trust in the payment ecosystem.

The Crucial Role of DMARC in PCI DSS Compliance

DMARC, SPF, and DKIM are email authentication protocols that help protect your domain and emails against spoofing, phishing, and impersonation attacks. These protocols help distinguish between legitimate and fake emails being sent from your domain, ensuring unauthorized sources cannot forge your domain name. To effectively protect against same-domain spoofing attacks, organizations must establish a DMARC policy of “p=reject” or “p=quarantine” at a minimum.

The PCI SSC includes DMARC implementation as a part of their antispam and anti-phishing efforts. DMARC offers several benefits to organizations implementing it, including: 

  • Improved email deliverability 
  • Minimized email fraud and domain name impersonation 
  • Reduced spam complaints and email bounces 
  • Enhanced brand reputation, credibility, and trust 
  • Compliance with global and local government regulations  

How to comply with PCI DSS requirements and recommendations 

To stay compliant with PCI DSS recommendations, companies can: 

  1. Implement DMARC, SPF, and DKIM alongside related anti-phishing technologies. 
  2. Move to an enforced DMARC policy (like p=reject) to start preventing email-based cyber attacks. 
  3. Implement anti-malware and URL protection solutions to stop malspam campaigns from reaching your employees. 
  4. Make your entire team go through security awareness training at least once a month to stay on top latest phishing techniques.

Conclusion

The PCI DSS serves as a crucial framework for protecting payment transactions. The upcoming PCI DSS version 4.0 highlights the importance of email security in protecting sensitive payment card data. Organizations across industries are advised to proactively embrace DMARC, complementary protocols like SPF and DKIM, or similar anti-phishing controls to fortify their defenses against data breaches. 

By implementing DMARC early, businesses can also enhance their brand reputation, build customer trust, and improve email deliverability. Prioritizing payment security and DMARC enforcement will promote a safer digital payment environment worldwide.

Sign up today to enhance your email security with PowerDMARC and strengthen your compliance efforts with PCI DSS best practices!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which PCI Security requirement relates to the physical protection of banks’ customer data?

One significant PCI security requirement related to the physical protection of banks’ customer data is addressed within the standard. This requirement focuses on ensuring the implementation of appropriate measures to secure physical access to areas where customer data is stored or processed. Banks can effectively safeguard customer information from unauthorized physical access by adhering to this requirement.

Why are the v4.0 requirements termed as future-dated?

The PCI SSC has announced the new requirements for v4.0 to be future-dated since they would be offering organizations an additional year (post-2024) after the retirement of the older DSS version to adhere to the compliance requirements.

What are the other future-dated requirements for PCI DSS compliance?

The other future-dated requirements for v4.0 compliance are as follows:

  • Prioritizing encryption, updating security keys, and ensuring valid certificates that aren’t expired
  • Monitoring removable media like data storage devices and pen drives
  • Prioritizing Web and Application Security
  • Prioritizing Password Security
  • Periodic User Access Review

Latest posts by Ahona Rudra (see all)
554 5.7.5 Permanent Error Evaluating DMARC Policy [SOLVED]554 5.7.5 Permanent Error Evaluating DMARC PolicyTroubleshooting Email Rejected per DMARC PolicyTroubleshooting “Email Rejected per DMARC Policy” [SOLVED]