FAQ #1318 Diff

PCI DSS does not define a specific maximum or minimum length of time for whichminimum or maximum times for how long cardholder data canmay be stored. PCI DSS Requirement 3.2.1 requires entities to implement data retention and disposal policies, procedures, and processes to ensure that account data is retained only for the period necessary to meet legal, regulatory, and/or business requirements.

The only account data that may be stored after authorization includes:

Primary account number (PAN) — if rendered unreadable
Expiration date
Cardholder name
Service code

Anyspecifies that a data retention and disposal policy must be implemented to limit data storage to that which is necessary for legal, regulatory, and/or business purposes. It should be noted that any storage of sensitive authentication data (SAD) — such asincluding full track data, card verification codes/values, or PIN blocks — must never be storedand PIN block data) is prohibited after authorization , as perper PCI DSS Requirement 3.3.When1.

Wherever cardholder data is stored electronically, it must be protected in line with Requirements 3.4 to 3.6, which address rendering data unreadable, securing cryptographic keys, and managing the full key lifecycle.

Stored data must be securely deleted or rendered unrecoverable once it is no longer needed. Entities are also required to verify at least every three months that data exceeding retention limits has been securely removedaccordance with applicable PCI DSS Requirements, including Requirements 3.5 — 3.7 (electronic storage) and 9.4 (storage on physical media). Once cardholder data is no longer required, it must be securely deleted or rendered unrecoverable.