Entity

In the context of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance, an "Entity" refers to any corporation, organization, or business that processes, stores, or transmits credit card information and is therefore subject to PCI DSS assessments. This term is used to encompass the full range of participants in payment card transactions, from large multinational corporations to small independent retailers.

The primary responsibilities of an entity under PCI DSS include:

Entities must undergo periodic reviews to ensure compliance with PCI DSS, which may include both self-assessments and external audits depending on the volume of transactions they handle. Compliance is not only crucial for protecting customer data but also for maintaining the entity’s reputation and avoiding potential fines and penalties for security failures.