"PCI is all about protecting online transactions and [securely] storing credit card data," Pescatore said. He added that CUNA Mutual's guidelines are focused more directly on mitigating losses from fraudulent uses of cards.

As part of a broader set of antifraud initiatives, CUNA Mutual also is lobbying card associations for stronger data-protection standards and advocating litigation against merchants that allegedly fail to demonstrate due diligence in safeguarding sensitive data. Last April, it filed a lawsuit against BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. seeking to recover losses resulting from a security breach at the retailer.