Are you classified as a service provider?

This question is asking whether your organization is classified as a 'service provider' according to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). In PCI DSS terminology, a service provider is any business entity that is not a payment card brand member or a merchant, but is involved in the processing, storage, or transmission of cardholder data on behalf of another entity. This includes companies that provide services that control or could impact the security of cardholder data. This question is being asked in a security assessment because service providers have specific PCI DSS compliance requirements that differ from merchants. Service providers typically must comply with a broader set of requirements and may need to undergo more rigorous assessments. They often have additional responsibilities such as maintaining documentation of their compliance for their customers and may need to complete a Service Provider Attestation of Compliance (AOC). To best answer this question: 1. Determine if your organization processes, stores, or transmits cardholder data on behalf of another entity 2. Consider if you provide services that could affect the security of cardholder data for another entity 3. Review your contracts with clients to see if you're contractually defined as a service provider 4. Consult with your compliance or legal team if you're unsure about your classification Being classified as a service provider isn't inherently good or bad - it simply determines which set of compliance requirements apply to your organization.