Washington State PCI DSS Requirements for Technology, Software, and Cloud Services

 

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) in Washington State has specific regional requirements that technology, software, and cloud service providers must follow when handling payment card data. Below is a comprehensive guide to Washington-specific PCI DSS requirements:

 

Washington State-Specific PCI DSS Requirements

 

• Washington Data Breach Law (RCW 19.255.010) - More stringent than standard PCI DSS, requiring notification to Washington residents within 45 days of breach discovery
• Consumer Protection Data Security Compliance - Washington Attorney General enforces additional security requirements beyond base PCI DSS
• State Agency Vendor Requirements - Technology providers working with state agencies must meet enhanced data security controls outlined in OCIO Policy 141.10
• Financial Institution Processor Rules - Washington DFI mandates additional security controls for payment processors operating in the state

 

Key Washington PCI DSS Enforcement Differences

 

• Increased Penalties - Washington can impose penalties up to $25,000 per violation for payment data breaches, compared to standard federal penalties
• Mandatory Security Assessments - Technology vendors processing over 300,000 transactions annually must conduct independent security assessments beyond standard PCI requirements
• Expanded Definition of Protected Data - Washington includes payment card data combined with any state resident's name as protected information
• Multi-Agency Oversight - Technology providers face compliance reviews from both federal PCI Council and Washington state regulators

 

Washington-Specific Technology Requirements

 

• Enhanced Encryption Standards - Washington requires AES-256 encryption for all data at rest and in transit, which exceeds base PCI DSS requirements
• State-Approved Cloud Services - Cloud providers must be on the Washington OCIO approved vendor list and meet specific state security standards
• Physical Location Requirements - Data centers housing Washington payment data must maintain specific security controls if located within the state
• Geofencing Capabilities - Software processing Washington payment data must implement geofencing to prevent unauthorized access from high-risk regions

 

Software Development Requirements

 

• Washington Secure Application Development - Software vendors must follow Washington-specific secure coding practices beyond OWASP standards
• Local Penetration Testing - Annual penetration testing must include Washington-based testing teams for in-state software providers
• Cascadia Resilience Planning - Software must include disaster recovery planning specific to Pacific Northwest regional disasters
• API Security Standards - APIs handling Washington payment data must implement additional authentication controls specified by state guidelines

 

Cloud Service Provider Requirements

 

• Washington Privacy Act Compliance - Cloud providers must adhere to Washington's privacy framework in addition to PCI DSS
• Data Residency Options - Must offer Washington businesses the option to keep payment data within approved U.S. regions
• Local Incident Response - Cloud providers must maintain incident response capabilities within Washington time zones
• State Auditor Access - Must permit Washington State Auditor's Office review of cloud security controls when processing government payment data

 

Documentation and Reporting Requirements

 

• Washington Business Continuity Documentation - Additional documentation required for regional-specific disaster scenarios
• Quarterly Security Metrics - Technology providers must report security metrics to the state for transactions involving Washington residents
• Incident Disclosure Timeline - 45-day maximum reporting requirement versus PCI's standard guidelines
• Annual State Compliance Reports - Technology vendors must file Washington-specific compliance reports beyond standard PCI documentation

 

Washington Small Business Considerations

 

• Scaled Requirements - Technology providers serving Washington small businesses have modified compliance paths while maintaining security
• Small Business Assessment Tools - State-provided tools for Washington small businesses to evaluate technology vendor compliance
• Technical Assistance Program - Washington offers technical assistance for in-state technology providers to achieve compliance
• Simplified Validation Options - Smaller technology vendors have Washington-specific self-assessment options not available in standard PCI DSS

 

Implementation Timeline

 

• 90-Day Remediation Window - Washington requires faster remediation of critical vulnerabilities than standard PCI guidelines
• Biennial Review Cycle - Technology providers must conduct full security reviews every two years
• Immediate Notification Requirements - Must alert Washington officials of specific security incidents within 24 hours
• Annual Certification Deadline - Washington requires annual certification by March 31st regardless of PCI DSS assessment dates

 

Resources for Compliance

 

• Washington State Office of Cybersecurity - Provides guidance specific to payment processing in Washington
• Department of Financial Institutions - Offers Washington-specific interpretations of PCI DSS requirements
• Washington Technology Industry Association - Conducts compliance workshops for technology providers
• Northwest Security Coalition - Regional support network for technology providers implementing security standards

 

Remember that Washington State takes payment card security very seriously, with requirements that often exceed the baseline PCI DSS standards. Technology, software, and cloud service providers must ensure they are meeting both the federal PCI DSS requirements and Washington's additional state-specific regulations to avoid significant penalties and maintain the trust of Washington consumers.