Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). A proprietary information security standard for financial institutions and organizations that make online transactions using major credit card and debit card providers (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). Administered and managed by the international Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, PCI DSS is designed to increase data protection of card holders and reduce the risk of credit card fraud. Brokerage firms such as Fortrade must comply with this standard in order to maintain accreditation.