PCI-DSS Compliance

PCI-DSS Compliance

If you accept credit cards, PCI-DSS compliance isn’t optional. Payment card brands require it, and non-compliance can result in fines up to $100,000 per month plus liability for fraudulent transactions. More importantly, PCI-DSS protects your customers and your reputation from costly data breaches.

What is PCI-DSS?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is a set of security requirements designed to protect cardholder data. All organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card information must comply.

The 12 PCI-DSS Requirements:

  1. Install and maintain firewall configuration
  2. Don’t use vendor-supplied defaults
  3. Protect stored cardholder data
  4. Encrypt transmission of cardholder data
  5. Protect against malware
  6. Develop secure systems and applications
  7. Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
  8. Identify and authenticate access
  9. Restrict physical access to cardholder data
  10. Track and monitor all network access
  11. Regularly test security systems
  12. Maintain information security policy

Your PCI-DSS Level

Compliance requirements depend on transaction volume:

Level 1: 6M+ transactions/year (any channel) or 1M+ e-commerce

  • Annual Report on Compliance (ROC) by QSA
  • Quarterly network scans by ASV
  • Most stringent requirements

Level 2: 1M-6M transactions/year (any channel)

  • Annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)
  • Quarterly network scans by ASV

Level 3: 20K-1M e-commerce transactions/year

  • Annual SAQ
  • Quarterly network scans by ASV

Level 4: <20K e-commerce or <1M total transactions/year

  • Annual SAQ (may be required by acquirer)
  • Quarterly network scans recommended

Our PCI-DSS Services

Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) Design

Proper network segmentation dramatically reduces PCI scope and costs. We design CDEs that isolate cardholder data and minimize affected systems.

Benefits:

  • Reduce PCI scope by 50-90%
  • Lower compliance costs
  • Simpler ongoing maintenance
  • Reduced breach risk

PCI-DSS Gap Assessment

Comprehensive review of current state against all 12 requirements with prioritized remediation roadmap.

Technical Implementation

  • Network segmentation and firewalls
  • Encryption for data at rest and in transit
  • Intrusion detection/prevention systems
  • File integrity monitoring
  • Centralized logging (SIEM)
  • Vulnerability management program
  • Penetration testing

Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Support

Choose the right SAQ for your environment and complete it accurately:

  • SAQ A: Card-not-present, fully outsourced
  • SAQ A-EP: E-commerce with payment page redirect
  • SAQ B: Imprint or standalone dial-out terminal
  • SAQ B-IP: Standalone IP-connected terminal
  • SAQ C: Payment application on merchant system, no storage
  • SAQ C-VT: Virtual terminal only
  • SAQ D: All other merchants and all service providers
  • SAQ P2PE: Hardware encryption solution

Quarterly Vulnerability Scanning

As an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) partner, we conduct required quarterly vulnerability scans and help remediate findings.

Annual Penetration Testing

PCI-DSS requires annual penetration testing. We coordinate testing and assist with remediation.

Compensating Controls

When standard controls aren’t feasible, we design compensating controls that provide equivalent protection while meeting PCI requirements.

PCI-DSS for Different Business Models

Retail / Point-of-Sale

  • Secure POS systems and networks
  • Employee training on card security
  • Physical security measures
  • Cash register and terminal security

E-Commerce

  • Secure payment pages (PCI-validated payment gateway recommended)
  • SSL/TLS encryption
  • Web application firewalls
  • Regular vulnerability scanning

Call Centers

  • Pause-resume recording during payment
  • Dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) masking
  • Agent desktop security
  • Call monitoring compliance

Restaurants / Hospitality

  • Wireless network security
  • Mobile POS security
  • Tableside payment devices
  • Server/staff training

Common PCI Pitfalls

Storing Prohibited Data: Never store CVV2, PIN, or full magnetic stripe data after authorization.

Inadequate Segmentation: Flat networks bring entire infrastructure into PCI scope.

Vendor Assumptions: “Our payment processor is PCI compliant” doesn’t make you compliant.

Ignoring Documentation: PCI requires extensive documentation—policies, procedures, diagrams, evidence.

One-and-Done Mentality: PCI is ongoing. Quarterly scans, annual assessments, continuous monitoring.

PCI-DSS + Other Compliance

PCI + SOC 2: Many payment processors need both. We align overlapping controls.

PCI + HIPAA: Medical practices accepting payments need both frameworks.

PCI + State Data Breach Laws: Multiple states have specific requirements for card data breaches.

Get PCI Compliant

Need PCI-DSS Compliance?

Schedule a free PCI-DSS assessment. We'll determine your merchant level, identify your SAQ type, assess your current state, and provide a clear roadmap to compliance.

Schedule Assessment Email PCI Team

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