What is the Account Information Security program?

The Visa Account Information Security (AIS) program is a global program designed to help merchants make both their virtual and physical environments more secure by enhancing the protection of cardholder data while it is with the merchant – either in a database or as a physical receipt stored at the merchant location.

This program provides merchants with a tool kit outlining global standards, a best practices guide and a self-assessment questionnaire providing key information and requirements specifically targeted at the protection of cardholder account and transaction data.

What is the purpose of the program?

The AIS program helps to protect sensitive card information during a Visa transaction. It protects the interests of payment participants, including cardholders and merchants — in both the physical and virtual worlds.

What is the purpose of the global standards?

The global standards are designed to help merchants protect account information from unauthorized modification, disclosure, or destruction, thereby boosting consumer confidence and satisfaction. Examples of standards include those that address cryptographic operations, logical access controls, physical data protection, and network security. Standards address many key functional areas that influence the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of data.

How does Account Information Security affect merchants?

The program helps merchants protect their customers' information against hacking or unauthorized access and fraud. Merchants ultimately benefit by building a reputation for transaction safety, and eliminating the possibility of damaging negative publicity due to compromise.

What risk is a business exposed to by not complying with Visa's Account Information Security Standards Program?

Failure to protect Account and Transaction Information may result in financial loss due to fraud, or a decrease in business caused by lower consumer confidence. Because the AIS program is mandatory for all Visa-accepting merchants, those merchants found not complying with the AIS program may be subject to penalty by Visa, such as fines, and/or removal from the Visa program.