Is Your Salesforce Stripe Integration Putting Customer Card Data at Risk?

In today's digital economy, securely processing online payments isn't just good practice—it's essential for maintaining customer trust and meeting regulatory requirements, particularly when expanding into European markets. Businesses using Salesforce for e-commerce may find that older payment systems suddenly require extensive compliance documentation upon entering European markets.

This blog explains why older payment implementations pose security risks, how modern browser-based integrations address these risks, and how you can verify your system is secure—accessible to both technical and non-technical readers.

Table of Contents

1. The Old Way: Server-Side Payment Processing and Its Risks

2. The Modern Solution: Browser-to-Stripe Direct Integration

3. PCI Compliance: Simplified and Essential

4. Navigating European Market Requirements

5. How to Verify Your Implementation Is Secure

6. Common Questions About Browser-Based Payment Security

7. Conclusion: Safer Payments, Simpler Compliance

The Old Way: Server-Side Payment Processing and Its Risks

How Traditional Payment Processing Worked

Traditionally, Salesforce integrations handled payments as follows:

• A customer entered credit card details on your website.

• Sensitive information traveled to your Salesforce servers.

• Your servers passed raw card data to Stripe for processing.

• A confirmation was returned through the same path.

This method created significant vulnerabilities:

Key Risks of Server-Side Processing

• Data Exposure: Even momentary handling of card data in memory, logs, or databases creates points of vulnerability.

• Expanded Compliance Requirements: Handling card data directly subjects your entire system to rigorous PCI DSS requirements.

• European Regulatory Hurdles: Compliance with European regulations such as PSD2 becomes complex, requiring extensive security measures and documentation.

Important Note: Although the Salesforce Commerce Payment framework is technically PCI compliant, expanding transaction volumes or entering European markets often triggers additional compliance requirements from Stripe.

Real-world example: A major retailer faced an $18.5 million settlement after hackers accessed card information passing through their servers.

The Modern Solution: Browser-to-Stripe Direct Integration

How Browser-Based Integration Works

This secure JavaScript-based implementation changes the data flow:

• Customers enter card details on your website.

• Stripe’s JavaScript library captures information directly in the customer's browser.

• Sensitive data goes directly from browser to Stripe, bypassing your servers.

• Your server receives only a secure token, containing no card details.

Security Advantages

• Eliminating Server Exposure: Card details never touch your servers, significantly reducing risk.

• Tokenization Protection: Tokens are unique identifiers useless to hackers.

• Shadow DOM and Iframe Protection: Browser features isolate payment fields, preventing malicious access.

Technical explanation: Shadow DOM creates isolated DOM trees for payment fields, inaccessible by malicious scripts.

PCI Compliance: Simplified and Essential

Understanding PCI DSS Levels

• Level 4: Fewer than 20,000 annual transactions

• Level 3: 20,000 to 1 million annual transactions

• Level 2: 1 to 6 million annual transactions

• Level 1: Over 6 million annual transactions

Server-Side vs. Browser-Based Compliance

Server-Side Processing:

• Extensive documentation

• Entire server environment under PCI scope

• Mandatory security audits

• High liability risk

Browser-to-Stripe Integration:

• Simplified compliance (SAQ A)

• Servers removed from PCI scope

• Reduced liability

Navigating European Market Requirements

European regulations such as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and GDPR add compliance complexity:

• SCA: Stripe handles authentication automatically.

• GDPR: Avoid storing card data, reducing compliance requirements.

• Compliance Politics: Browser-based integration shifts compliance burden to Stripe, easing responsibilities for businesses and Salesforce.

How to Verify Your Implementation Is Secure

Wondering if your integration is secure? Follow these straightforward verification methods:

• Check Network Traffic:

  • Open your payment page, right-click, and select "Inspect".

  • Navigate to the "Network" tab and process a test payment.

  • Ensure requests containing card data go directly to Stripe (e.g., api.stripe.com).

• Look for the Secure Element:

  • Inspect payment fields to confirm they are within Stripe’s iframe.

  • Verify fields are protected against direct access or copying.

• Verify SSL/TLS Implementation:

  • Look for a valid padlock icon in your browser’s address bar.

  • Ensure URLs start with "https://".

Common Questions About Browser-Based Payment Security

• How does the payment form bypass my servers? Like embedding YouTube videos, payment forms display on your site but communicate directly with Stripe.

• How secure is Stripe’s JavaScript? Stripe employs Content Security Policies, Subresource Integrity, and continuous monitoring to prevent tampering.

• How can I assist customers without card data? Stripe provides sufficient information—last four digits, card type, and expiration—to facilitate customer service safely.

• What about Salesforce's own solutions? Salesforce Commerce Payment often requires extra measures in Europe, while Salesforce Payments is still evolving. Clarify implementation details if considering these options.

Conclusion: Safer Payments, Simpler Compliance

Shifting from server-side processing to browser-based Stripe integration significantly enhances security and simplifies compliance:

• Reduces data breach risks

• Simplifies PCI compliance

• Eases European market expansion

• Improves customer security

• Avoids complex compliance politics

Ready to upgrade your payment security? Contact us to audit your current setup and ensure your business is secure.