Certified to the Highest Standard in Payments.

Hello Clever is now PCI DSS Level 1 v4.0.1 certified.

This certification validates that our infrastructure meets the most rigorous global standards for data security, encryption, and access control the kind demanded by the world’s most trusted financial institutions.

What Is PCI DSS Level 1?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a global framework designed to safeguard sensitive cardholder data and reduce the risk of payment fraud.

Level 1 is the highest tier of certification typically required for organisations processing more than 6 million transactions per year, or operating in regulated or high-risk environments.

Achieving Level 1 certification requires:

✅ An in-depth forensic audit by an approved Qualified Security Assessor (QSA)

✅ Validation of over 300+ controls across architecture, access, encryption, and incident response

✅ Annual re-certification and ongoing vulnerability assessments

✅ Independent penetration testing and network reviews

This is the same standard expected of enterprise-grade platforms, payment processors, and global financial institutions.

The Process

Hello Clever’s architecture was designed with security embedded at every layer, not layered on later.

We underwent a multi-stage, third-party audit that included:

Four-step visual breakdown of Hello Clever’s PCI DSS audit process, including platform assessment, policy review, encryption verification, and penetration testing.

Our infrastructure is hosted on enterprise-grade cloud providers, with zero trust access control, granular permissions, and real-time logging enforced across services.

PCI DSS Levels Compared

Not all PCI compliance is created equal.

Many platforms claim “PCI compliance,” but only Level 1 is subject to full external audit, independent validation, and continuous testing.

Here’s how the levels compare:

Side-by-side comparison of PCI DSS compliance levels from Level 4 to Level 1, showing Hello Clever’s certification at the highest tier.

Hello Clever operates at Level 1.

That means the same level of compliance expected from global banks, now available to every business building on our platform.

For Your Business

Whether you’re building a new product or scaling a regulated platform, PCI Level 1 certification gives your team confidence to grow without adding compliance complexity.

Benefits include:

✅ No internal PCI compliance overhead we manage it on your behalf

✅ Faster integration and go-live no security blockers or long review cycles

✅ Enterprise-grade protection by default across all payment workflows

✅ Stronger posture with partners and auditors backed by certified infrastructure

You don’t have to become a security expert to build something trusted.

Risk Reduction Backed by Data

According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the average global cost of a breach is now USD $4.88 million, a 10% increase year-over-year.

At the same time, the World Economic Forum’s Cybersecurity Outlook 2024 found that fewer than 30% of mid-sized businesses meet baseline security standards, leaving most exposed to serious operational risk.

Level 1 compliance gives your business a structural advantage reducing risk, enabling faster approvals, and strengthening your ability to partner and scale.

What’s Next

PCI DSS Level 1 isn’t a one-time milestone. It’s part of an ongoing commitment to provide secure, reliable, and scalable payments infrastructure for modern businesses.

We’ll continue to undergo annual audits, quarterly assessments, and regular third-party reviews to ensure we meet — and exceed — the latest standards.

Security at Hello Clever isn’t a feature.

It’s foundational.