13/08/2025

Why PCI DSS is critical for gas stations

A modern gas station is a system of accounting, logistics, payments, and online user accounts. Starting in 2022 and during times of crisis, the issue of energy infrastructure vulnerability has become extremely acute. Protecting information assets is becoming a key element of business resilience.
Today, almost every gas station accepts cashless payments: bank cards, NFC wallets, mobile applications. These transactions pass through POS terminals, cash register programmes, banking institution gateways, and are sometimes stored in temporary logs or loyalty systems.
This means that gas stations work with payment information – in particular, with the primary elements of card data: card numbers (PAN), expiry dates, CVV codes (in some cases). This data is protected in accordance with the PCI DSS standard.

What is PCI DSS and how does it work?

PCI DSS is an international payment card data security standard developed by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB to ensure comprehensive transaction security.
For gas stations, this means:● Ensuring data encryption during transmission (requirements 4.1, 3.6).● Excluding the storage of sensitive authentication data (SAD), such as CVV2/CVC2 after authorisation (requirement 3.2). ● Protecting POS terminals from physical access and malicious software (requirements 9.9, 5.2).● Strictly controlling access to payment systems (requirements 7.1, 8.1)● Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing (requirements 11.2, 11.3).● Maintaining audit logs (requirements 10.2–10.3) to record suspicious activity.
If these requirements are disregarded, any compromise of the POS system or data leak from the loyalty programme may result in widespread fraud and penalties from payment systems.

Regulatory requirements for cybersecurity at gas stations

Since 2022, the fuel and energy sector in Ukraine has been officially recognised as critical infrastructure (CI). This means that the state requires gas stations to comply with:
● Law of Ukraine ‘On Critical Infrastructure’● General Requirements for Cyber Protection of Critical Infrastructure (CMU Resolution No. 518)● Provisions on Independent Information Security Audits (CMU Resolution No. 257)● Cybersecurity Requirements for the Fuel and Energy Sector (Ministry of Energy Order No. 417)
The PCI DSS standard is an international benchmark that is built into the cyber protection system for everyone who works with payment cards. Compliance with these requirements is not only a responsibility to the client and the payment system, but also one of the elements of compliance with state requirements for the protection of critical information infrastructure.

Examples of risks and consequences for gas stations

In October 2023, DDoS attack disrupted mobile payments at gas stations, causing long queues and huge losses. Imagine a CVV or PAN leak — significant fines from payment systems, reputational and legal consequences (Art. 361 362 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Without PCI DSS compliance, even a minor incident can lead to large-scale fraud, loss of trust, and financial penalties.

6 steps for implementing PCI DSS at gas stations

1. Conduct a PCI DSS compliance assessment (SAQ or full audit) – depending on the scope of card processing.2. Categorise all systems that have access to card data.3. Use only PCI DSS-compliant software and hardware (e.g., POS systems, loyalty software, gateways, etc.).4. Implement regular security monitoring: SIEM, logging, IDS/IPS.5. Train staff on the basics of cyber hygiene and PCI DSS (requirement 12.6).6. Regularly test the system for penetration and scan for vulnerabilities (11.2, 11.3).

Benefits for gas stations:

● Reduced likelihood of PAN and CVV leaks, protecting customers and the company.● Avoidance of penalties and blocking by payment brands (financial penalties ranging from $5,000 to $100,000+ per month).● Increased customer confidence, strong reputation in the market.● Process optimisation — implementation of effective information security policies (SIEM, MFA, network protection).● Readiness for business growth, scalability of payment infrastructure: PCI DSS grows with your transaction volume.

Conclusion

Today, gas stations are not just fuel containers, but also points of financial interaction, where the payment information of millions of citizens passes through. Data protection is not only about customer care, but also about the legal, commercial and cybersecurity of the company.
PCI DSS is not just a standard, it is a protective barrier between you and potential threats. The sooner gas station networks meet these requirements, the more resilient they will be to future threats and changes.

Need help with PCI DSS for your gas station?

Need help with PCI DSS compliance assessment, penetration testing, or security policy development? Please contact IT Specialist experts.
Anatolii Zhuravliov, Deputy Director for Technology in the Audit and Certification of Payment and Banking Systems.