SAQ (Self-Assessment Questionnaire)

The SAQ, or Self-Assessment Questionnaire, is a reporting tool used by merchants and service providers to document their self-assessment results of compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This tool is crucial for entities that handle cardholder data, as PCI DSS compliance is mandatory to ensure the security of credit and debit card transactions and protect against card fraud.

The SAQ helps entities evaluate their own payment card processing environments to ensure they meet the stringent security measures required by PCI DSS. It is designed to be a comprehensive checklist that covers various aspects of security, including but not limited to, network protection, cardholder data protection, vulnerability management, access control, and information security policies.

There are several types of SAQs, each tailored to different business environments, depending on the manner in which they handle cardholder data. For example, an online retailer would fill out a different version of the SAQ than a brick-and-mortar store that uses a standard dial-up terminal for card processing.

Completing the SAQ allows businesses to identify security weaknesses and confirm the security measures they have in place. It is a critical step in maintaining ongoing compliance with PCI DSS, helping businesses safeguard their customer’s payment card information, and minimizing the risk of data breaches. Every credit card merchant is required to complete the SAQ appropriate for their processing environment annually.