Card Data Protection: How PCI DSS Complements GDPR and Why It’s Critical for Business

18.08.2025

Why protecting card and personal data is vital

In the digital age, when cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated, protecting clients’ personal and financial data is not only a legal requirement, but also the foundation of a company’s reputation. The two main standards that provide protection are:

● GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation (EU)
● PCI DSS — International Payment Card Security Standard

Together, they form a comprehensive approach to information security.

What is GDPR and how does it work?

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is the legal basis for personal data protection, which regulates the processing of:
● personal information (name, telephone number, address);
● digital identifiers (IP, cookie, geolocation);
● bank details (card number, CVV), if they allow a person to be identified.

Key GDPR requirements for businesses
● The existence of a legal basis for data processing (consent, contract, etc.).
● Exercise of data subject rights (access, rectification, erasure).
● Incident reporting within 72 hours.
● Appointment of a DPO, if a company performs systematic processing of large-scale data.

What is PCI DSS and why is it important?

PCI DSS is technical security of payment information.

PCI DSS does not regulate the rights of individuals or consent matters — it focuses solely on the protection of payment information:
● card number (primary account number, PAN);
● CVV/CVC;
● magnetic strip or chip data.

Main requirements of PCI DSS
● Encryption, masking and protection of PAN (requirements 3.4, 4.1).
● Access control (requirements 7, 8).
● Event logging (requirements 10.2–10.3).
● Vulnerability scanning, penetration testing (requirements 11.2–11.3).
● Incident response (requirement 12.10).

PCI DSS ≠ GDPR, but they work together

Although GDPR and PCI DSS have different focuses, they do not contradict each other, but complement each other:
● GDPR regulates individual rights and the legal basis.
● PCI DSS ensures technical data security.

Comparison table: GDPR vs PCI DSS

PCI DSS does not replace GDPR, but reinforces its technical implementation in terms of financial information protection. If a company stores or processes card data, it must adhere to both approaches simultaneously.

Why is this important for business?

In the event of an incident involving a card data breach:

● GDPR may impose a fine for violating data processing and protection principles.
● Payment systems (via PCI DSS) may impose sanctions, including restricting the ability to accept cards or imposing penalties for fraud.

Thus, ignoring PCI DSS means a potential loss of payment infrastructure, while violating GDPR means the risk of legal consequences and financial sanctions from regulators.

Conclusion

GDPR and PCI DSS do not compete with each other, but work in tandem. One protects personal rights, the other protects data.

Organisations that accept payment cards should consider PCI DSS as a mandatory addition to GDPR to achieve comprehensive security.

Compliance with both standards:
● Demonstrates responsibility to clients.
● Minimises the risk of incidents and leaks.
● Ensures stable business operations even in crises.

Not sure where to start?
Consult the experts. We will help you:
● pass a PCI DSS compliance audit;
● build processes in accordance with GDPR;
● train your staff;
● ensure complete control over data security at your company.

A comprehensive approach is the only way to achieve digital trust.