If you accept payments or build software that touches payments, security is part of the job. That’s where PCI comes in.
The PCI Security Standards Council recently released version 2.0 of the PCI Secure Software Standard, updating how payment software is expected to be built, maintained, and monitored over time. While the update is technical on paper, the takeaway for merchants and partners is actually simple.
Before we get into what changed, it helps to level-set.
What PCI actually is:
PCI exists to protect cardholder data. Think of it like building codes for payments. Just as buildings need fire exits and inspections to stay safe, payment systems need rules that reduce the risk of fraud, data breaches, and costly mistakes.
PCI exists to make sure sensitive payment data is handled responsibly, even as technology evolves.
What’s new in PCI Secure Software Standard v2.0
Secure software is ongoing and ever-changing
Payment software changes constantly, updates, integrations, and new features. PCI v2.0 expects providers to prove their software remains secure as it evolves, not just at launch.
The most sensitive parts get the most attention
Not all software components carry the same risk. The new guidance helps providers clearly identify and protect the parts that matter most for security.
Modern payment tools are officially in scope
Software building blocks like SDKs (which power things like mobile checkout and authentication) are now clearly covered by the standard, closing gaps that used to exist.
For merchants and partners, this all adds up to one thing: stronger guardrails behind the scenes, without adding friction at the point of sale.
What this Means for Merchants and Partners
Your security posture depends on the software and platforms touching your payments. Even if you follow best practices, weak or poorly managed software increases risk. And you shouldn’t need to interpret security standards to run your business.
That responsibility belongs with the companies building and maintaining the payments infrastructure.
How Bold approaches Secure Payments Software
At Bold, we believe payments should be secure by design, not secure by paperwork.
PCI Secure Software Standard v2.0 aligns with how we already operate:
Clear Accountability
We take responsibility for the parts of the payment stack we control, and we hold our partners and vendors to the same standards. That clarity matters as software ecosystems grow more complex.
Trust You Can Explain
When customers or stakeholders ask how payments are protected, you should have a clear answer. Working with Bold means security isn’t a black box; it’s part of the foundation.
Why this Matters when Choosing a Payments Partner
The right provider:
- stays ahead of standards instead of reacting to them
- designs software for long-term resilience
- reduces your exposure to surprises, audits, and operational risk
Bold is built for businesses that want payments to be reliable, adaptable, and trustworthy, even as the rules evolve.
As standards like PCI Secure Software Standard v2.0 continue to raise expectations, Bold remains focused on what matters most: protecting payments, reducing friction, and letting you grow with confidence.
Work Cited :
Secure Software Standard.” PCI Security Standards Council,
www.pcisecuritystandards.org/standards/secure-software/ Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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