What are the best practices for encrypting credit card data in a database?

When you use your credit card online, the systems keep it safe by: Changing the card number into a secret code. This is called hashing. Sometimes mixing it up with random bits to make it extra secure. This is called salting. Often replacing it with a safe placeholder when processing payments. This is called tokenization. They follow strict rules to make sure your credit card info stays safe and private!

Use a third-party payment processor: Instead of storing credit card information directly in your database, consider using a trusted third-party payment processor like Stripe. 2.Encrypt credit card data: If you choose to store credit card information in your database, it is crucial to encrypt the data. 3.Secure key management: Safeguard the encryption keys used to protect credit card data. 4.Comply with industry standards.

Encryption ensures data ownership and protection across three key levels: 1. Disk Level: Databases, as files. It's essential to define the OS user/process owning the data and safeguard against threats like ransomware using transparent encryption. 2. Database Level: Major database vendors offer encryption with access controls, allowing specific database credentials to use the encryption key and use external encryption key storage, balancing responsibilities between dbas and security teams. 3. Application Level: Combining public and symmetric encryption offers robust data transmission, independent of standard tls/ssl encryption. All levels should use fips tools like KMS or HSMs, ensuring tamper-proof encryption.

Data location dictates encryption practices and key access controls: 1. IaaS or On-Premise: Here, control spans from the OS to application usage. It's advisable to employ personal encryption systems bolstered by KMS or HSM solutions. These offer extensive integration options, including encryption at rest, in-use, and policy rules that permit access only to legitimate data owners. 2. PaaS or SaaS (Cloud Model): While infrastructure access is limited, encryption key control isn't forfeited. Leading cloud providers facilitate custom key usage via BYOK or HYOK. They also offer mechanisms for key access control, enabling determinations on which PaaS/SaaS services, under specified IAM credentials, can utilize cloud data.

Utilizing NIST-approved keys (AES, RSA, Elliptic curves) under FIPS 140-2 helps deter brute force attacks on encrypted data, but this must be complemented by is storing these keys in secure, certified environments resistant to tampering, where only authorized users have access credentials.

Access control mechanisms differ based on the data access form, so it's vital to have precise access controls with minimal permissions for correct data access (here a couple of approaches): - IAM: For direct access to safeguarded data, employ MFA and contextual access, factoring in the region, time-zone, and request timing. - Applications/Process: Define access levels by permitting read/write privileges. Utilize tokenization and masking to partially display data.

Follow PCI Software Security Framework guidelines wherever payment processing is involved. It provides information on how to handle sensitive data other than just credit card numbers.

If you don't have to you shouldn't . Use a 3rd part processor and off load the work to them. Keep your liability to a minimum. In majority of cases there aren't any real reasons to not use a 3rd party payment processor especially if you're a new startup, plus creating your own processor can cost upwards of 90k just for licenses from major card brands let alone the certification you need.