Samsung Pay PCI Compliance
If you’re a business owner who accepts Samsung Pay and just received a PCI compliance questionnaire from your payment processor, take a deep breath. For most small businesses, PCI compliance is much simpler than it sounds — especially if you’re using modern payment systems like Samsung Pay. You don’t need to be a security expert or hire expensive consultants. This guide will walk you through exactly what you need to know and do.
What Is PCI Compliance (In Plain English)
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of security requirements created to protect credit card data. If you accept card payments in any form — including digital wallets like Samsung Pay — these requirements apply to your business.
The major card brands (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover) created these standards through the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). But here’s who actually enforces them: your acquiring bank or payment processor. That’s why you received that compliance questionnaire — your processor needs to verify that you’re protecting cardholder data properly.
What happens if you ignore that questionnaire? Your payment processor can impose monthly non-compliance fees (typically $25-300), you’ll be liable for fraud losses if there’s a breach, and in extreme cases, you could lose the ability to accept card payments entirely. The good news? Most small businesses qualify for the simplest Compliance requirements, which you can complete in under an hour.
Do You Need to Be PCI Compliant?
Simple answer: If you accept credit or debit cards in any form, yes. This includes:
- Physical card swipes, dips, or taps (including Samsung Pay)
- Online payments through your website
- Phone orders where customers give you their card number
- Mail order forms with card details
- Mobile payment apps and digital wallets
Your merchant level determines how extensive your compliance requirements are. Most small businesses are Level 4 merchants (processing fewer than 20,000 e-commerce transactions or up to 1 million total transactions annually). This means you can self-assess using an SAQ (Self-Assessment Questionnaire) instead of hiring an expensive auditor.
When your payment processor sends you that annual compliance questionnaire, they’re asking you to complete your SAQ and prove you’re following basic security practices. It’s not optional — it’s part of your merchant agreement.
Which SAQ Do You Need?
The SAQ is your compliance questionnaire, and there are different types based on how you accept payments. Here’s how to determine which one applies to your Samsung Pay acceptance:
| How You Accept Payments | SAQ Type | Complexity | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Pay only through a standalone terminal that connects via phone line or cellular (no integration with your systems) | SAQ B | Simple | 41 |
| Samsung Pay through a terminal connected to your network/internet | SAQ B-IP | Simple | 82 |
| Samsung Pay through a POS system that connects to other business systems | SAQ C | Moderate | 160 |
| You store card numbers in any form (even on paper) | SAQ D | Complex | 329+ |
For Samsung Pay specifically:
- If customers tap their phone on a standalone payment terminal (like a Square reader or Clover device), you’re likely SAQ B or B-IP
- If Samsung Pay transactions flow through your integrated POS system, you’re probably SAQ C
- If you’re using Samsung Pay for e-commerce through their online checkout, you might be SAQ A (the simplest one with only 22 questions)
not sure which SAQ applies? PCICompliance.com’s SAQ Wizard asks you a few simple questions about your payment setup and tells you exactly which questionnaire you need — no guesswork required.
How to Complete Your SAQ
Your SAQ is a series of yes/no questions about your payment security practices. Here’s what to expect:
The questionnaire format: Each question asks about a specific security control. For example: “Are payment terminals physically secured to prevent removal or substitution?” You answer yes, no, or N/A (not applicable).
What “yes” really means: When you answer “yes,” you’re confirming that control is in place. You don’t need perfection — you need reasonable security. For that terminal security question, a “yes” means your terminal isn’t sitting loose on a counter where anyone could swap it out.
Documentation you’ll need:
- List of all payment terminals and their locations
- Network diagram (if terminals connect to your network)
- Vendor agreements showing who maintains your payment systems
- Security policies (many SAQs provide templates)
The quarterly ASV scan: If you’re SAQ B-IP, C, or D, you’ll need quarterly vulnerability scans from an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV). This automated scan checks your internet-facing systems for security weaknesses. It’s not invasive — think of it as a security checkup that takes about 30 minutes to set up.
Submitting your compliance: Once you’ve answered all questions and passed your ASV scan (if required), you’ll generate an Attestation of Compliance (AOC). This is your official compliance certificate to submit to your payment processor.
What It Costs
Let’s talk real numbers for PCI compliance:
Compliance platforms and SAQ tools: $100-500 per year for small businesses. This typically includes your SAQ questionnaire, guidance on answering questions, and compliance tracking.
Quarterly ASV scanning: $200-800 per year, depending on how many IP addresses need scanning. Many compliance platforms bundle this with their SAQ tools.
If you need a QSA: Only required for Level 1 merchants or if your acquirer specifically demands it. QSA assessments start at $10,000 annually — but remember, most small businesses don’t need this.
The cost of NON-compliance:
- Monthly non-compliance fees: $25-300
- If you have a breach while non-compliant: $5,000-100,000 in fines
- Lost business if your processor suspends your account
- Fraud liability that your processor won’t cover
Bottom line: For most small merchants accepting Samsung Pay, annual compliance costs less than $1,000 — often less than a single month’s non-compliance fee.
Staying Compliant Year-Round
PCI compliance isn’t a one-and-done activity. Your annual assessment renews every 12 months, with quarterly ASV scans if required. Here’s how to stay on track:
Set up compliance reminders:
- Annual SAQ due date (same month each year)
- Quarterly scan windows (every 90 days)
- Policy review dates
- Employee training refreshers
What triggers a reassessment:
- Adding new payment channels (like starting e-commerce)
- Changing payment processors or terminals
- Major network changes
- Starting to store cardholder data
Track your progress: A compliance dashboard shows your current status, upcoming deadlines, and any gaps to address. When your processor asks for proof of compliance, you’ll have everything ready.
PCICompliance.com’s compliance dashboard automatically tracks all these dates and sends reminders before deadlines. No more scrambling when your processor sends that annual notice.
FAQ
Is Samsung Pay more secure than regular card payments?
Yes. Samsung Pay uses tokenization, which means your actual card number is never shared with the merchant. However, you still need PCI compliance because you’re accepting card payments — the security requirements apply to your overall payment environment.
Do I need PCI compliance if I only accept Samsung Pay and no physical cards?
Yes. Digital wallets like Samsung Pay are still card payments in the eyes of PCI DSS. The good news is that tokenized payments like Samsung Pay can qualify you for simpler SAQ types.
What’s the difference between my payment processor’s compliance program and PCI DSS?
PCI DSS is the actual security standard. Your processor’s compliance program is how they verify you’re meeting that standard. Some processors have their own platforms, while others let you use third-party services like PCICompliance.com.
Can I just ignore the compliance questionnaire?
Technically yes, but it’s expensive and risky. You’ll face monthly non-compliance fees, you’re fully liable for any fraud, and your processor can terminate your merchant account. Compliance is part of your agreement to accept cards.
How long does the SAQ take to complete?
For Samsung Pay merchants on SAQ B or B-IP: 1-2 hours. For SAQ C: 3-4 hours. Most of that time is gathering information, not answering questions.
What if I fail my ASV scan?
Failing vulnerabilities must be fixed and you’ll need to rescan. Common failures include outdated software or weak SSL certificates. Your ASV report explains exactly what needs fixing, and most issues take less than an hour to resolve.
Do I need to hire a security consultant?
Most small businesses don’t. If you’re SAQ B or B-IP (common for Samsung Pay merchants), the requirements are straightforward. Compliance platforms provide the guidance you need without consultant fees.
What if I’m already accepting Samsung Pay — am I automatically non-compliant?
Not necessarily. Non-compliance starts when you miss your annual assessment deadline or fail to remediate security gaps. If you complete your SAQ before your processor’s deadline, you’re compliant.
Conclusion
Samsung Pay and PCI compliance might seem overwhelming when that first questionnaire arrives, but it doesn’t have to be. Most businesses accepting Samsung Pay through standard terminals qualify for the simpler SAQ types that you can complete yourself in an afternoon. The key is understanding which SAQ applies to your specific setup and having the right tools to guide you through it.
PCICompliance.com gives you everything you need to achieve and Maintain PCI compliance — our free SAQ Wizard identifies exactly which questionnaire you need based on your Samsung Pay setup, our ASV scanning service handles your quarterly vulnerability scans automatically, and our compliance dashboard tracks your progress year-round. You’ll never miss a deadline or scramble for documentation again. Start with the free SAQ Wizard to identify your requirements in under 5 minutes, or talk to our compliance team if you need guidance on your specific Samsung Pay implementation.
