Understanding the Payment Card Industry Software Security Framework (PCI SSF)

As a business owner, you're likely familiar with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), or PCI Compliance, and how these security measures play a key part in ensuring all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information do so securely. While these standards are essential for any company that accepts credit cards, there's another set of requirements to consider as a bar or restaurant owner who utilizes payment software, such as a POS system—the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS). Launched in 2008, PA-DSS was designed to govern and validate the security of payment software and systems and how they handle card payment data.

However, in October 2022, PA-DSS expired and was replaced by the PCI Software Security Framework (PCI SSF) to support the overall security and development of existing and future payment applications. Through new requirements and validation processes, PCI SSF further enhances the security of payment systems, various payment software types, development techniques, and technologies. In this blog, we'll explore PCI SSF, how it compares to PA-DSS, and how the transition impacts your restaurant or bar's POS system.

What Is PCI SSF?

PCI SSF was created to address the shortcomings of PA-DSS, which was focused on application security but failed to address the underlying security of the systems supporting the applications. PCI SSF outlines an updated set of security principles, objectives, and practices for software vendors, providing a more holistic approach to security that manages the entire software development lifecycle––from design to deployment to ongoing maintenance. This includes security testing, vulnerability scanning, code reviews, and other security measures that can help reduce the risk of security breaches.

Additionally, PCI SSF is flexible enough to accommodate both traditional and modern payment software. It requires a security approach that is objective-focused, supporting more agile development and update cycles than conventional software-development practices. 

How Does PCI SSF Work?

To ensure compliance with PCI SSF, software vendors and system integrators must undergo a thorough assessment of their products and processes by an independent third-party assessor. This assessment evaluates the vendor's adherence to the security requirements specified by the PCI SSF framework. It includes reviewing documentation and evaluating the vendor's systems and processes to ensure they are implemented correctly and provide adequate security. Once the assessment is complete, the vendor receives a report detailing any issues that need to be fixed and a compliance status based on the level of compliance achieved. 

If the vendor meets all of the requirements, they receive a PCI SSF certification, which demonstrates to their customers that their software or system meets the highest level of security standards. In addition, vendors must maintain compliance by regularly reviewing and updating their systems and processes to address new security threats and vulnerabilities.

How Does PCI SSF Compare to PA-DSS?

Although PA-DSS laid the groundwork and helped secure payment application data, the scope of software eligible for validation was limited to software that facilitates payment authorization. PCI SSF takes a more comprehensive approach to security as the payment industry's needs evolve. 

PCI SSF provides: 

  • A set of standardized processes for developing payment applications.

  • Controls to improve security implementations.

  • A faster-to-market approach to security validation. For example, its eligibility criteria for software validation includes software providing additional functions, such as fraud monitoring or cardholder authentication. 

  • Greater flexibility in how software vendors meet security requirements through an objective-based approach. They choose the practices and methods that best meet the security objectives depending on their unique business requirements and capabilities.

Why Is It Important to Restaurant and Bar Owners?

Now that we've broken down PCI SSF and how it works, you may wonder what this means for you and your bar or restaurant. Keeping your customers’ information safe and secure is a top priority. It's more than using PCI-compliant merchants, it’s also incorporating systems and software that meet PCI SSF requirements. When shopping for solutions for your business, such as a POS system, you should be confident that it's secure and can protect your customers' sensitive data.


With VersiPOS, all the guesswork is taken care of for you, meaning the security of your customers’ data is one less thing you have to worry about. We safeguard your business and your customers by remaining compliant with PCI SSF requirements. If you're ready to learn more about how we can support your operations, contact us today

Adam Parish