Security and Privacy Considerations Given its central role in financial transactions, the PAN is a prime target for fraudsters and malicious actors. The final digit is a checksum calculated using the Luhn algorithm, which helps verify the number's validity and detect accidental errors in typing or transmission.
PCI Compliance Requirements for Protecting the Primary Account Number
The issuer then checks the validity of the number, verifies that the account is active, and confirms that sufficient funds or credit are available to complete the sale. When a card is swiped, inserted, or entered into a payment gateway, the Primary Account Number is transmitted to the acquirer and subsequently routed to the issuer for authorization.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) mandates that merchants and service providers implement robust security measures to protect stored, processed, or transmitted PANs. The first digit often indicates the Major Industry Identifier (MII), which signifies the card category or the industry of the issuer.
PCI Compliance Requirements for Protecting the Primary Account Number
Distinguishing PAN from Other Identifiers It is important to differentiate the Primary Account Number from other card-related data to understand its specific purpose. Role in Transaction Processing During a purchase, whether online or in a physical store, the PAN is the critical piece of data that initiates the transaction flow.
More About What does pan stand for in credit cards
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