At Fidel API, protecting sensitive payment data isn’t just a requirement. It’s a responsibility we take seriously at every level. That’s why we’re proud to share that we are now PCI DSS Level 1 certified: the highest level of certification available in the global standard for payment data security.

This milestone is more than a badge. It signals to our customers, partners, and developers that their data is being handled with care, transparency, and long-term commitment.

What Is PCI DSS?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of strict security requirements created by the major card networks – including Visa, Mastercard, and Amex – to protect cardholder data and reduce fraud.

To process, transmit, or store credit card information, companies must meet these standards. The Level 1 certification is the most rigorous; it requires an independent audit and the highest level of operational maturity.

Think of it like this: just as restaurants must follow health and safety regulations to serve food safely, businesses that handle payment data follow PCI DSS to keep that data secure. And we’ve passed the highest level.

Why It Matters

For any company that handles card transactions, PCI compliance is non-negotiable. Without it, we wouldn’t be allowed to process or even interact with card data.

But for customers, what matters most is trust. This certification confirms that their data is protected with industry-leading safeguards. It means strong encryption, restricted access, continuous monitoring, and a security program that evolves with new threats.

In short, PCI DSS gives our customers confidence that when they build on Fidel API, payment data is secure by default.

How We Keep Your Payment Data Safe

Our certification reflects practical safeguards we’ve put in place – not just during the audit process, but as part of our everyday operations. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Security by Design
  From our infrastructure to our SDKs, security is built in from the ground up. Sensitive data is encrypted at rest and in transit using strong cryptographic protocols.
• Tokenisation by Default
  Raw card numbers never touch our servers. When a card is linked via our secure SDK, it is instantly tokenised – replaced with a secure, anonymised identifier.
• Tight Access Controls
  Access to production systems is tightly restricted using role-based access, multi-factor authentication, and audit logging.
• Continuous Monitoring and Testing
  We partner with certified third-party firms to conduct annual penetration tests. Our engineering teams also run nightly automated checks and integrate security reviews into every release.
• Incident Preparedness and Resilience
  Our systems are built for visibility and response. With centralised logging and real-time alerting, we can detect and respond to threats quickly and decisively.
• Security as Culture
  Every employee at Fidel API receives security training and is expected to play an active role in protecting customer data. It’s a mindset, not a checklist.

Behind the Certification: Improvements That Benefit Customers

Becoming PCI DSS Level 1 certified isn’t just about passing an audit. It pushed us to refine, improve, and invest even further in the way we operate.

As part of the certification process, we:

• Enhanced system segmentation to isolate sensitive components and reduce risk
• Improved monitoring and alerting tools to identify threats more quickly
• Strengthened incident response playbooks for faster resolution
• Increased auditability and observability across environments

These changes directly strengthen our ability to protect customers and their users.

What Sets Our Approach Apart

Plenty of companies treat PCI DSS as a box to tick. We see it as a starting point.

What makes our approach different is how deeply security is embedded in our company culture. It isn’t the job of one team; it’s a shared commitment across engineering, product, and operations. It shows up in how we build, how we train, and how we make decisions.

And we’re not stopping here. We’re actively pursuing ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 Type II certifications as part of our broader security roadmap. These frameworks will further strengthen our governance, monitoring, and risk management processes.

Transparency You Can Rely On

Trust is built on transparency. That’s why we share our Attestation of Compliance (AOC) annually with our enterprise partners and customers, along with clear documentation on our security posture and operational controls.

If you're a partner or customer and would like to review our compliance documentation, you can always reach out to security@fidelapi.com.

A Milestone and a Promise

PCI DSS Level 1 certification validates the care we already take with customer data, and our readiness to meet the highest standards in the payments ecosystem. It’s a milestone we’re proud of, and a promise to continue doing the work to earn our customers’ trust every day.

Whether you're building card-linked experiences or processing millions of transactions, you can rely on Fidel API to keep your data secure – now and into the future.

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