PCI DSS, or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, is a set of security guidelines designed to protect sensitive payment card information. Established by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, it aims to ensure that all companies that accept, process, or store credit card information maintain a secure environment. The standard includes requirements for security management, policies, procedures, network architecture, and software design. Compliance with PCI DSS helps businesses reduce the risk of data breaches and fraud, ultimately safeguarding both customer information and the integrity of the payment card system.