
Stripe PCI compliance is a set of standards that ensures the security of online transactions and protects sensitive customer information. This compliance is mandatory for any business that accepts credit card payments.
To achieve PCI compliance, Stripe requires merchants to implement specific security measures, such as encrypting sensitive data and using secure protocols for data transmission. This includes using HTTPS and TLS encryption.
By following Stripe's guidelines, merchants can ensure the security of their customers' data and avoid costly fines and penalties associated with non-compliance. This is especially important for businesses that handle large volumes of transactions.
Stripe's compliance requirements are based on the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), which sets the global standard for online payment security.
Recommended read: Card Data Covered by Pci Dss Includes
Stripe Compliance Basics
Becoming PCI compliant with Stripe is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few steps. You'll need to meet 12 requirements, but don't worry, Stripe provides automated compliance software to help you get started.
To become compliant, you'll need to validate your compliance with Stripe, which requires three pieces of documentation: a SAQ, a passing vulnerability scan, and an Attestation of Compliance (AOC). For businesses with less than six million transactions per year, this is the standard process.
The type of SAQ you need will depend on how you've integrated Stripe or how you're processing payments. This can vary, so be sure to check with Stripe for specific requirements.
Check this out: Pci Compliance Questionnaire Answers
Is Stripe Compliant?
Stripe is a PCI compliant payment processor, and that's a big deal. They're a level 1 service provider, which means they've undergone the strictest PCI compliance process required of service providers.
Stripe has protocols and protections in place to keep your customers' payment data safe, and they adhere to the 12 requirements of PCI DSS and all the sub-requirements within them. They've even been evaluated by an independent auditor to ensure this is the case.
Broaden your view: Pci Dss Level 1 Service Provider

Using Stripe for payment processing makes PCI compliance easier than other solutions. By outsourcing payment processes to Stripe, businesses can avoid significant infrastructure and security costs associated with handling sensitive card data in-house.
Stripe's infrastructure meets and exceeds the highest security standards for the payment industry, and they have dedicated PCI-certified auditors that regularly examine their system to ensure compliance.
Here are the key ways Stripe meets PCI compliance:
- Stripe attains the highest level of PCI compliance, ensuring adherence to stringent security standards.
- They utilize encryption, tokenization, and secure data storage practices to protect sensitive payment information.
By using Stripe for payment processing, businesses can easily clear the bar for PCI compliance. This means you can focus on what you do best – offering a quality product or generating strong revenue – without worrying about the technical nitty-gritty of payment processing.
More About
Stripe is a level 1 service provider, meaning they have the highest level of PCI compliance. This is a big deal, as it ensures they adhere to the strictest security standards for handling payment data.
To become PCI compliant while using Stripe, you'll need to meet the 12 requirements of PCI DSS, along with their sub-requirements. This can be a daunting task, but automated compliance software can help streamline the process by scanning your system and providing a report of which requirements you meet and which you don't.
Related reading: Pci Dss Audit Requirements

You'll need to validate your compliance, which means providing documentation to Stripe. For businesses with less than six million transactions per year, this typically involves a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ), a passing vulnerability scan, and an Attestation of Compliance (AOC). However, if your business performs more than six million annual transactions, you'll need to hire a third-party PCI compliance auditor for an on-site review.
Stripe's infrastructure meets and exceeds the highest security standards for the payment industry, making it a great option for businesses looking to outsource their payment processing. This means you can focus on what you do best – running your business – while Stripe handles the technical details of payment processing.
Here are the three documents you'll need to provide to Stripe for validation:
- A SAQ (Self-Assessment Questionnaire)
- A passing vulnerability scan from an approved scanning vendor or ASV
- An Attestation of Compliance (AOC)
Remember, compliance is about more than just using the right tools – it's about fostering a culture of vigilance and accountability. By taking extra steps to secure your code, perform threat modeling, and implement layered security practices, you'll be protecting your reputation and your customers' trust.
How to Achieve Compliance

To become PCI compliant, you'll need to meet 12 requirements, which can be a daunting task. You can start by using automated compliance software to scan your system and identify which requirements you already meet and which ones you need to work on.
Stripe requires all its customers to validate their PCI compliance each year, so it's essential to stay on top of your compliance. You'll need to provide three pieces of documentation, including a SAQ, a passing vulnerability scan, and an Attestation of Compliance (AOC), unless you process more than six million transactions per year, in which case you'll need to hire a third-party auditor.
You can use Stripe's infrastructure to outsource your PCI compliance, as it meets and exceeds the highest security standards for the payment industry. Stripe's level 1 certification ensures adherence to stringent security standards, and it utilizes encryption, tokenization, and secure data storage practices to protect sensitive payment information.
Check this out: Pci Dss Requirement
One of the most significant advantages of using Stripe is that it automates a lot of the work associated with maintaining PCI compliance. By using Stripe, you can focus on building up your own business offerings and leave the compliance headaches to them.
Here are the three essential steps to achieve PCI compliance using Stripe:
- Use automated compliance software to identify which requirements you need to work on.
- Provide the necessary documentation, including a SAQ, a passing vulnerability scan, and an Attestation of Compliance (AOC).
- Validate your compliance with Stripe each year.
By following these steps and using Stripe's infrastructure, you can achieve PCI compliance and protect your customers' sensitive payment information.
Stripe's Compliance Features
Stripe is a PCI-compliant level 1 service provider, which means they have gone through the strictest PCI compliance process required of service providers.
They adhere to the 12 requirements of PCI DSS and all the sub-requirements within them, and have been evaluated by an independent auditor to ensure this is the case.
Stripe's infrastructure meets and exceeds the highest security standards for the payment industry, and they have dedicated PCI-certified auditors that regularly examine their system to ensure compliance.
Check this out: Pci Compliance Levels for Service Providers
Stripe employs tokenization to replace sensitive payment information with unique tokens, enhancing data security and protecting customer information.
Here are some key features that contribute to Stripe's compliance:
- PCI Level 1 Certified
- Secure Data Handling (encryption, tokenization, and secure data storage practices)
By using Stripe, businesses can process payments securely without directly handling sensitive card data, and can easily clear the bar for PCI compliance.
Business and Compliance
Becoming PCI compliant with Stripe can be a straightforward process. You'll need to meet 12 requirements, which can be a time-consuming task, but automated compliance software can help streamline the process.
There are different types of SAQs (Self-Assessment Questionnaires) that you'll need to fill out, depending on how you've integrated Stripe or how you're processing payments. For example, if you're a small business with less than six million transactions per year, you'll need to provide three pieces of documentation: a SAQ, a passing vulnerability scan, and an Attestation of Compliance (AOC).
You'll also need to validate your compliance with Stripe, which requires a thorough report of your PCI compliance criteria. This report will give you a clear list of which requirements you meet and which ones you don't.
Additional reading: How to Report Pci Compliance Violation

Here are the three documents you'll need to provide for PCI compliance with Stripe:
- A SAQ
- A passing vulnerability scan of your system from an approved scanning vendor or ASV
- An Attestation of Compliance (AOC)
Note that if your business performs more than six million annual transactions, you'll need to hire a third-party PCI compliance auditor to do an on-site review of your system.
Trust and Security
Trust and Security is not just a checkbox item, it's about fostering a culture of vigilance and accountability. This means going beyond just using the right tools, like Stripe, and actually implementing strong security practices.
Compliance is not a one-time task, it's an ongoing process. You need to regularly review your code, perform threat modeling, and implement layered security practices to stay protected. This is essential for protecting your reputation and your customers' trust.
If you're using Stripe, you still need to become PCI compliant. This will help you prevent costly data breaches, earn the trust of your customers and partners, and avoid potential problems like non-compliance fees or the inability to use Stripe.
To become PCI compliant, you'll need to meet 12 requirements, which can be overwhelming. However, with automated compliance software, you can skip the extra time and effort of digging through your system to see which requirements you already meet and which ones you need to work on.
Here are the three documents you'll need to validate your compliance, if your business receives less than six million transactions per year:
- A SAQ (Self-Assessment Questionnaire)
- A passing vulnerability scan of your system from an approved scanning vendor or ASV
- An Attestation of Compliance (AOC)
If your business performs more than six million annual transactions, you'll need to hire a third-party PCI compliance auditor to do an on-site review of your system.
By taking these extra steps, you're proving that your customers' trust is well-placed. Remember, your customers expect their information to be safe, and it's up to you to provide that safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be PCI compliant if I use a payment gateway?
Yes, if you process sensitive card data, even through a payment gateway, you are still required to meet PCI DSS compliance standards to avoid severe penalties and consequences. Compliance is mandatory, not optional, for all entities handling cardholder information.
Is PCI compliance legally required?
No, PCI compliance is not legally mandated by government laws, but it's a requirement set by the payment card industry. Compliance is necessary to process card payments securely and maintain industry trust.
Sources
- https://www.vanta.com/resources/why-companies-that-use-stripe-still-need-pci-compliance
- https://blog.rsisecurity.com/is-stripe-pci-compliant/
- https://stackoverflow.com/questions/26268948/how-do-i-legally-become-pci-compliant-and-use-stripe
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stripe-paypal-pci-compliance-illusion-joshua-vanallen-0c1xe
- https://thinkdifferentdesigns.com/power-your-small-business-payments-securely-with-stripe-a-pci-compliant-choice/
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