# PCI compliance

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security requirements created and enforced by the major card networks including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB to protect cardholder data globally.
Stripe is a PCI Level 1 Service Provider - the highest certification available. Stripe undergoes an annual audit by an independent QSA and is listed in [Visa's service provider registry](https://www.visa.com/splisting/searchGrsp.do?companyNameCriteria=stripe).
Stripe simplifies your path to PCI compliance, but Stripe doesn't make you PCI compliant by default.