When your business accepts card payments, you must meet certain security standards to protect your customers' card data. Managed IT services can help you navigate and maintain compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a set of technical and operational requirements designed to reduce fraud and data breaches.
Failing to comply with PCI DSS can lead to serious consequences such as fines, reputational damage, and increased risk of cyberattacks. For a typical UK SME with 50 to 150 staff, downtime caused by a security incident or audit failure can disrupt sales, reduce staff productivity, and erode customer trust—potentially costing much more than the investment in proper IT controls.
How managed IT services support PCI DSS compliance
A managed IT provider can implement and maintain the technical safeguards required by PCI DSS. This includes managing firewalls and secure network segmentation to isolate payment systems, enforcing strong access controls with multi-factor authentication (MFA), and ensuring all software and devices are regularly patched and updated. They also handle secure data storage and encryption, monitor systems for suspicious activity, and maintain detailed logs for audit purposes.
For example, consider a mid-sized retailer with an on-site till system and an online store. Their managed IT partner would first assess the current environment, identify any gaps in PCI DSS controls, then deploy network segmentation so payment data is kept separate from other business systems. They would configure firewalls, set strict user permissions, and schedule regular vulnerability scans. If a security alert arises, the provider investigates promptly to prevent data loss or downtime.
Practical checklist for working with your IT provider on PCI DSS
- Ask if they have experience supporting PCI DSS compliance for UK SMEs and understand relevant requirements.
- Check that they enforce MFA and strict access controls on all systems handling cardholder data.
- Confirm they perform regular patching and vulnerability scanning, with documented results.
- Request details on their backup procedures, including encrypted backups stored securely offsite.
- Ensure they provide 24/7 monitoring and incident response capabilities.
- Review their logging and audit trail management to support compliance audits.
- Discuss how they manage third-party software and hardware to avoid introducing risks.
- Verify their approach to secure network design, including segmentation of payment systems.
Next steps
PCI DSS compliance is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Working with a trusted managed IT provider can help you stay on top of security controls, reduce the risk of costly breaches, and ease audit preparation. Speak to your current IT partner or a reputable local provider about how they can support your card payment security and compliance needs.