PCI compliance, also known as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance, is a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.

The PCI DSS was created by major credit card companies such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JCB International. The standard consists of 12 requirements that must be met in order to achieve compliance. These requirements include maintaining a secure network, protecting cardholder data, maintaining a vulnerability management program, implementing strong access control measures, regularly monitoring and testing networks and maintaining an information security policy.

PCI compliance is mandatory for any organization that accepts credit or debit card payments. Failure to comply with the PCI DSS can result in significant fines and penalties, as well as damage to a company's reputation.

To achieve PCI compliance, organizations must undergo regular assessments by Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) or internal security assessors (ISAs). These assessments evaluate an organization's compliance with the PCI DSS and identify any areas where improvements are needed.

In addition to the 12 requirements outlined in the PCI DSS, there are also specific requirements for different types of organizations. For example, e-commerce companies may have additional requirements related to web application security.

Overall, achieving and maintaining PCI compliance is essential for any organization that handles credit or debit card information. By following the standards outlined in the PCI DSS and working with qualified assessors, organizations can ensure that they are providing a secure environment for their customers' sensitive information.

Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or URLs:

1. https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/
2. https://www.csoonline.com/article/2130877/pci-compliance-explained-what-it-is--who-needs-it--and-how-to-comply.html
3. https://www.techradar.com/news/pci-compliance-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters