PCIDSS: CBN issues Nov. 30 deadline to banks

The CBN has urged commercial banks, switches and processors to be Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCIDSS) certified by November 30.

The deadline was contained in a circular issued by the CBN Banking and Payments System Department on Friday in Lagos.

The circular which read: “Timeline for PCIDSS certification by all deposit money banks, switches and processors.” is designed to help banks to ensure safe handling of cardholder’s information at every step.

The PCIDSS is a framework used to prevent, detect and appropriate security incidents in payment operations among banks.

The apex bank also said that it would sanction any bank that is not PCIDSS certified before the due date.

The pre-certification assessment it carried out by CBN showed that some banks were yet to comply with the mode. “In view of the above, all deposit money banks, switches and processors are required to be PCIDSS certified, on or before November 30.

“Please note that the CBN will invoke appropriate sanctions for non-compliance with the provision of the circular,” it said.