If you process customer credit cards within your organization, you’re required to be PCI compliant. And to be PCI compliant, you need to be able to run an ASV Scan.
But what is an ASV scan, how does it relate to PCI compliance, and why is it so important to your brand’s security?
We’re highlighting the answers to these questions in this article, allowing you to come away with a better understanding of what ASV scanning is and how you can get started if you haven’t done so already.
ASV Scan Defined
Let’s start with the basics.
ASV stands for Approved Scanning Vendor. You’ll notice that the term “ASV Scan” is a little bit repetitive. After all, it would make sense that a vendor responsible for scanning would, well, scan things.
For the best definition of an Approved Scanning Vendor, it helps to go to the source — the PCI Security Standards Council. In their own words:
“An ASV is an organization with a set of security services and tools (“ASV scan solution”) to conduct external vulnerability scanning services to validate adherence with the external scanning requirements of PCI DSS Requirement 11.2.2. The scanning vendor’s ASV scan solution is tested and approved by PCI SSC before an ASV is added to PCI SSC’s List of Approved Scanning Vendors.”
An ASV scan is the process that makes it possible for your vendor to determine whether or not your organization is privy to security vulnerabilities such as malware attacks and other breaches. To be Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant, you need to meet certain thresholds, known as the Data Security Standards. An ASV scan will analyze all your digital systems, from the point of sale to your accounting software, data storage solution, and more to make sure you’re up to date with these latest security parameters.
(For a review of what PCI compliance entails, click here).
How It Works
ASV scanning is made possible by the installation of software that communicates with the infrastructure that supports your processing capabilities. Scanning will happen seamlessly, in the background of your everyday business operations, allowing you to go about your day without having to worry about brand security. Then, if a potential vulnerability is detected, you will be alerted and prompted on the steps you can take to correct the issue.
You should work with a vendor that allows you to monitor the scanning and security picture at your leisure. A single pane of glass is the way to go. If you can monitor your status through an intuitive dashboard that shows the security situation of your brand in real time, you can be confident that your customers’ data is protected.
The best approved scanning vendors are those that will be proactive in their monitoring. A breach doesn’t necessarily have to be detected within your business in order for a threat to percolate elsewhere. ASVs should monitor the latest news around the world for potential security breaches manifesting at other companies, as this will allow them to update their software and the protection afforded to your business as necessary.
At the very least, they should keep you up to date on this information so you can plan accordingly.
ASV Scan to the Rescue
Achieving PCI compliance is critical, and the only way to truly be sure you’re accomplishing this is through constant vigilance. That’s where the ASV scan comes in.
If you want an Approved Scanning Vendor with the ability to protect your brand from outside interference, contact Logic Shield. Suffering a breach can be detrimental to your brand’s growth and to customer loyalty, and we can help protect you from harm.
Let’s talk about ASV scanning and ensuring PCI compliance at your company!
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