FirstBank Achieves PCIDSS

First Bank of Nigeria Ltd has recently attained Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard certification (PCIDSS), as part of its efforts to continually maintain leading best practice and remain Customers bank of choice, Nigeria number one banking brand.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which is a set of requirements designed to ensure companies that process, store or transmit credit/debit card information, maintain a secure environment to manage the evolution of the Payment Card Industry (PCI) security standards especially by improving payment account security throughout the transaction process. PCI DSS is administered and managed by the PCI SSC, an independent body that was created by the major payment card brands (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB).

FirstBank earned the level 1 PCI certification which is the highest rank available from the major credit card providers (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB) and this is only given to third-party providers who meet the Council’s stringent – and audited – credit/debit card transaction security protocols to protect customers’ personal transaction data. Level 1 requires an external audit for approval, which is more rigorous than lower level compliance.

The audit was performed by the Control Case Qualified Security Assessor from the United States of America with support from Digital Encode an information security management firm.

According to Mr. Bisi Onasanya, GMD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd.,  attaining the highest level in the PCI certification for the major credit card providers, shows the extent the bank will go to maintain a safe and secure environment for its customers.

“FirstBank remains steadfast in its commitment to securing the information of its customers and stakeholders. Despite the various challenges that abound from changes in technology, FirstBank is poised to face and maintain its security standard,” he said.