Third-party Website Trackers and PCI Compliance
Business today requires a website and an active online presence to find new customers and engage with your audience. To learn more about your customers, you might use tools to analyze user behavior on your site and across your offerings. You might employ handy website trackers like analytic tools, advertising pixels, browser fingerprints, social media plugins, or account tracking while logged into your site. Your site might function as an eCommerce site, capturing payments to make smooth customer transactions.
But have you considered how website trackers could put your PCI compliance at risk?
Third-party trackers introduce potential security risks and the possibility of a compliance breach. If third-party trackers compromise cardholder data on your website, this could lead to a PCI DSS violation. Non-compliance can result in fines, increased transaction fees, and potential loss of the ability to process payments.
An Overview of PCI Compliance
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of requirements to ensure that all companies that process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment to safeguard sensitive information.
PCI Compliance applies to any business that accepts or processes payment cards and is the standard for securely handling cardholder data and sensitive information. PCI compliance ensures that stored data is also securely handled and routinely monitored.
The newest requirements set by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and PCI DSS go into effect on March 31, 2025. By this time, companies processing cardholder information must confidently comply with PCI DSS v4.0 and emphasize continuous monitoring and risk assessments. This includes the new requirements around scripts on payment pages that need authorization to run and are monitored to ensure they haven’t been edited or changed to collect unauthorized cardholder data.
Read more about FTC requirements in our article Why Having a Website Tracking Tool is Essential.
How third-party data sharing affects PCI Compliance
Effective website management involves more than just routine content updates. It also encompasses vulnerability management to proactively identify and address security and privacy threats from third-party web trackers.
Potential data exposure and leakage are common risks associated with third-party website trackers. If these trackers have access to payment forms or other sensitive cardholder data, including website account information, that data could be exposed by the third-party tracker.
When you employ third-party trackers, you are essentially storing user data in a separate location that is accessible to the third-party that manages the tracking tool. This means the third-party data needs careful management, and controlled settings to ensure that third-party scripts do not lead to a compliance breach.
Strategies for PCI Compliance
Protect a website visitors’ data and protect against unauthorized breaches by applying robust security measures and following these steps:
- Vetting Third-Party Trackers Before Integration: Before adding a third-party tracker or script, conduct a security assessment of its data collection techniques to understand its data handling practices and verify if they are PCI compliant.
- Set Website Access Controls and Permissions: Setting access controls and permissions helps protect data by determining who can make changes to your website.
- Maintain a Policy That Addresses Information Security: Your security policies should include how third-party scripts are managed and how they ensure the privacy of cardholder data to meet PCI requirements.
- Establish Policies and Procedures for Breach Notifications: Evaluate the effectiveness of your website compliance and how you will manage compromised data. A detailed outline of how your organization will handle a potential breach will greatly reduce the time and effort required in the event of an incident.
- Perform Regular Audits to Ensure Continuous Compliance: Regular compliance checks are essential. Periodically review third-party trackers and scripts on your website and make adjustments to remain within PCI compliance standards.
- Review Website Privacy Policy: The website privacy policy should clearly outline the collection, storage, and use of user information. Before implementing a new tracker, review your website’s privacy policy and update the tools used on your website as needed.
- Educate Your Workforce on PCI Compliance Standards: Ongoing education is the best defense. Conduct regular workforce training sessions to provide them with the skills to safeguard privacy and keep up with PCI Compliance requirements and regulation changes.
- Utilize TrackerReveal for Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts: PrivaPlan’s real-time monitoring tools and alerts helps you stay ahead of unapproved website trackers and potential threats and respond quickly to discrepancies.
Create a secure, Privacy-conscious Online Environment for Your Customer
When it comes to guaranteeing your website’s compliance, start by addressing the potential security risks posed by third-party website trackers. By continuously monitoring these trackers and adjusting risk assessments, you are actively safeguarding customer data and upholding PCI compliance.
TrackerReveal Tool for Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts
TrackerReveal partners with you to safeguard your website’s privacy and security. Empower your business with powerful tools to identify website trackers, manage risks, and uphold compliance, ensuring your website maintains its trustworthiness.
