By Bradley Shahenza
NCBA Bank has stepped into the global spotlight after receiving the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Certification, a mark that confirms the bank can keep customer card data safe from fraudsters and hackers.
The announcement was made during a media briefing in Nairobi, where NCBA’s leadership highlighted the significance of the milestone for the Bank’s customers, partners, and the financial services industry at large.
Speaking at the event, Isaac Owila NCBA Group Director, said the certification underscores NCBA’s commitment to protecting customer information and maintaining the highest standards of digital security.
“This certification affirms our dedication to safeguarding customer transactions across all platforms. It is a historic milestone and we cannot seat and be content but continue to invest to make sure the organisation is safer. Hackers are becoming smarter to get data hence NCBA needs to be alert in protecting customers data” the director noted.
For NCBA customers, the certification means greater confidence in the safety of their debit and credit card transactions —whether online, at ATMs, or at merchant outlets. For partners and stakeholders, it reflects the bank’s readiness to support secure, scalable digital payment ecosystems.
At the media briefing, Visa’s leadership described the milestone as a “vote of confidence” for customers and partners who worry about the safety of digital transactions.
“Trust is earned through consistent actions and accountability. This showcase that NCBA has made the most stringent action for safeguarding data protection and Customers trust. For the industry this milestone shows a benchmark. As your partners we are dedicated to giving support in building a secure and innovative NCBA” said Basil Githinji Visa representative.
What makes PCI DSS important is that it’s not just a one-off badge. Banks that hold the certification must go through regular audits and keep upgrading their systems to stay ahead of fraud.
For customers, this means fewer chances of card data leaks or online fraud. For merchants and small businesses, it means NCBA can provide a more secure payments ecosystem, which helps build trust with buyers.
The achievement also puts NCBA in a stronger position in Kenya’s banking industry, where rivals are also pushing for safer digital channels.
Still, NCBA admits that no bank is ever 100% safe from cyberattacks — but this certification shows that they are meeting the toughest global standards and are better prepared than most banks.
The Bank emphasized that this milestone is part of its broader digital transformation journey, which includes investing in cybersecurity, expanding digital banking services and reinforcing trust in Kenya’s financial system
