The Payment Card Industry (PCI) refers to the sector that encompasses businesses and organizations involved in processing credit and debit card transactions. This industry includes banks, card networks like Visa and Mastercard, and merchants that accept card payments. The primary focus is on ensuring secure and efficient payment processing for consumers and businesses. To maintain security, the PCI has established the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This set of guidelines helps organizations protect cardholder data and reduce the risk of fraud. Compliance with these standards is essential for any entity that handles payment card information, ensuring trust and safety in financial transactions.