Understanding PCI SSC

PCI SSC is an open "global" forum founded in 2006 by 5 major card brands.

American Express                :  www.americanexpress.com/datasecurity
Discover Financial services    :  www.discovernetwork.com/merchants/
JCB International                  :  http://partner.jcbcard.com/security/jcbprogram/index.html
MasterCard                          :   http://www.mastercard.com/sdp
Visa inc                               :   http://www.visa.com/cisp
Visa Europe                         :   http://www.visaeurope.com/ais

PCI-SSC is also called as "The Council" and it develops, maintains and manages  PCI security standards which include but not limited to:  

                                                - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard ( PCI-DSS )
                                                - Payment Application Data Security Standard ( PA-DSS )
                                                - PIN Transaction Security ( PIN ) Requirements

The council offers various trainings and enhances payment account data security by driving education and awareness of PCI security standards. PCI-SSC does "NOT"  validate or enforce any organization's compliance and does "NOT"  impose penalties for non-compliance, these are governed and managed by payment brands!