PCI as a Service Benefits Healthcare IT Leaders by Simplifying PCI Compliance

As a leader in healthcare IT, you recognize the critical importance of protecting sensitive patient data and adhering to regulatory mandates, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Complying with PCI DSS can be difficult and expensive, particularly when hiring and retaining a dedicated expert who may only be utilized in annual compliance efforts. PCI as a Service is a valuable solution providing healthcare IT executives with multiple benefits.

Regarding PCI compliance, healthcare organizations typically face two major challenges:

• The high cost of recruiting and retaining a dedicated PCI expert is one of the primary obstacles healthcare organizations face. This includes salaries, benefits, training, and continuing professional development, which can rapidly increase and strain IT budgets. In addition, the PCI expert may only have a full caseload within the annual compliance audit, resulting in the underutilization of resources.
• Healthcare organizations typically have many disparate ways that they take payments, making it very difficult and time consuming to manage PCI, as well as security, for each of those channels. Channels may include hospital payments, physician or practice office payments, gift shops, online payments, parking, pharmacies, etc.

With PCI as a Service, healthcare IT executives can leverage the expertise of a specialized service provider instead of hiring and retaining an in-house PCI expert. Here are some of the most important advantages of PCI as a Service for healthcare IT leaders:

Cost Savings:

PCI as a Service provides a more cost-effective solution. PCI as a Service eliminates the need for employing and retaining an in-house PCI expert, which can result in substantial cost savings. Typically, service providers offer predictable and manageable pricing models, enabling healthcare organizations to manage compliance-related costs better.

Access to Specialized Expertise:

PCI as a Service providers employ a team of competent and seasoned PCI compliance specialists. Their knowledge of the most recent PCI DSS requirements, best practices, and industry trends is current, and their expertise is solely devoted to administering compliance for multiple clients. This ensures that healthcare organizations can access specialized knowledge without hiring and training an in-house PCI expert. Healthcare organizations want an expert on their side of the table, helping them solve their problems, identify what needs to be prioritized, and help them navigate the PCI compliance process both internally and with their external auditor, if they have one.

Reduced Compliance Burden:

PCI as a Service providers can handle PCI compliance responsibilities, such as undertaking vulnerability scans, managing security assessments, and preparing for annual audits. This allows internal IT resources to focus on other strategic initiatives instead of bogging down compliance-related duties.

Enhanced Security Measures:

PCI as a Service providers implement advanced security measures, such as routine vulnerability scanning, intrusion detection, and security assessments, to safeguard payment card data effectively. This can improve healthcare organizations’ overall security posture and reduce the likelihood of data breaches.

Scalability and Flexibility:

PCI as a Service offers flexibility and scalability, enabling healthcare organizations to adapt to shifting compliance requirements and business requirements. As compliance requirements evolve, the service provider can adapt the scope of services to provide the necessary support and expertise.

In conclusion, PCI as a Service provides healthcare IT executives with a cost-effective and efficient solution to the challenges of PCI compliance, such as the high cost of hiring and retaining a dedicated PCI expert. By utilizing the specialized knowledge of a PCI as a Service provider, healthcare organizations can attain and maintain compliance, improve security measures, and reduce the compliance burden on internal IT resources. Without needing an in-house PCI expert, partnering with a reliable PCI as a Service provider can facilitate the PCI compliance process and protect sensitive patient data.