
To achieve PCI compliance, you need to meet all 12 security standards set by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These standards are designed to protect sensitive cardholder information.
Meeting all 12 security standards requires a robust PCI compliance solution that includes vulnerability management, penetration testing, and regular security audits. This ensures your organization is always up-to-date on the latest security threats and vulnerabilities.
A good PCI compliance solution should also include a secure key management system to protect sensitive data, such as encryption keys and authentication tokens. This is crucial for protecting cardholder data from unauthorized access.
Implementing a PCI compliance solution that meets all 12 security standards requires a thorough understanding of the standards themselves, as well as the tools and technologies needed to meet them.
A different take: Supersaturated Solution
Achieving Compliance
Achieving compliance with PCI DSS requires a continuous process, not a one-off event. It involves implementing a set of requirements and controls as outlined in the PCI data security standard.

You'll need to determine which self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) to follow, depending on your card transaction volume and the types of transactions you perform. SAQs range in size from 22 questions (SAQ A) to 329 questions (SAQ D).
To maintain compliance, it's essential to conduct continuous monitoring, update security measures, and perform frequent PCI scanning. Yearly audits and quarterly external vulnerability scans are also crucial in scrutinizing your organization's security posture and proactively addressing weaknesses.
Here's a summary of the key steps to achieve compliance:
- Continuous monitoring
- Updating security measures
- Frequent PCI scanning
- Penetration testing
- Event log monitoring
- Yearly audits
- Quarterly external vulnerability scans
How Organizations Achieve
To achieve compliance, organizations need to adhere to the PCI DSS, which applies to any business that accepts, transmits, processes, or stores payment cards or cardholder data.
The level of compliance required varies depending on the organization's transaction volume in a given year.
Organizations with higher transaction volumes will require a more rigorous compliance process.
By understanding the specific requirements and tailoring their approach, organizations can streamline their compliance efforts and reduce the risk of data breaches.
A well-planned compliance strategy can save time and resources in the long run.
For another approach, see: First Data Pci Compliance
What Is an SAQ?
An SAQ, or self-assessment questionnaire, is a tool used to evaluate compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard.
SAQs are used by organizations to self-evaluate their compliance, and they contain questions about card data security.
Depending on an organization's card transaction volume and the types of transactions it performs, it may be able to use an SAQ.
SAQs range in size from 22 questions to 329 questions, with the smallest being SAQ A and the largest being SAQ D.
SecurityMetrics assists businesses in identifying and implementing their PCI requirements, including determining which SAQ to follow.
Check this out: How to Take Card Payments
PCI Compliance Standards
PCI compliance standards are a set of 12 requirements designed to protect and secure cardholder data. These requirements are outlined in the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS).
To achieve PCI compliance, organizations need to follow a set of requirements that fall under six overarching categories. These categories include network security, system security, cardholder data protection, access control, security policies, and compliance monitoring.
The 12 requirements of PCI DSS are as follows:
- Install and maintain network security controls to protect cardholder data.
- Apply secure configurations to all system components.
- Protect stored cardholder data.
- Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks.
- Protect all systems and networks from malicious software.
- Develop and maintain secure systems and applications.
- Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know.
- Identify users and authenticate access.
- Restrict physical access to cardholder data.
- Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data.
- Regularly test security systems and networks.
- Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel.
What Is PCI Compliance?
PCI compliance is a set of standards that ensure the secure handling of credit card information. It's mandated by the payment card brands and enforced by them and acquiring banks.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) are the standards that make up PCI compliance. These standards are designed to protect and secure cardholder data.
There are 12 requirements for PCI DSS compliance. Here's a breakdown of what they entail:
- Install and maintain a firewall configuration
- Protect stored cardholder data
- Protect data in transit by encrypting transmissions across open, public networks
- Protect against malicious software and viruses
- Develop and maintain secure systems
- Restrict access to cardholder data
- Authenticate access by giving each person a unique ID
- Control physical access to cardholder data
- Track and monitor access to cardholder data and network resources
- Test security systems and processes
- Maintain a security management policy for employees and contractors
- Tokenization is also a part of PCI compliance, but it's not explicitly listed as a requirement.
To achieve PCI compliance, you need to address each of these requirements within your unique IT environment. This can be a challenge, but it's often solved with layered security solutions or a suite of data security solutions.
The 12 Standards Are as Follows
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) are made up of 12 key standards that organizations must follow to ensure the security of cardholder data. These standards are designed to protect against various threats and vulnerabilities.
Here are the 12 standards in detail:
1. Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data.
2. Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for passwords and other security features.
3. Protect stored cardholder data by implementing measures such as encryption and access controls.
4. Protect data in transit by encrypting transmissions across open, public networks.
5. Protect against malicious software and viruses by implementing measures such as antivirus software and regular system updates.
6. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications by implementing measures such as secure coding practices and regular security testing.
7. Restrict access to cardholder data by implementing measures such as access controls and least privilege principles.
8. Authenticate access to cardholder data by implementing measures such as multi-factor authentication.
9. Control physical access to cardholder data by implementing measures such as access controls and secure storage.
10. Track and monitor access to cardholder data and network resources by implementing measures such as logging and monitoring.

11. Test security systems and processes regularly to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance.
12. Maintain a security management policy for employees and contractors, including regular security awareness training and incident response planning.
By following these 12 standards, organizations can ensure the security of cardholder data and maintain PCI DSS compliance.
Compliance Solutions
Compliance solutions are designed to help organizations meet the complex requirements of PCI DSS, ensuring the security of cardholder data.
Fortra's security suite offers a range of solutions to help you meet your PCI DSS obligations and protect the data of your cardholders.
A comprehensive approach is key to ensuring compliance, as seen in the example of a company that uses a solution to "ensure we meet all regulatory requirements efficiently."
You can set user permissions to limit access to specific resources through network access control, as NordLayer's adaptable security solutions can create a cloud infrastructure with secure access to your vital resources.
Continuous PCI DSS compliance is a must, especially with solutions like VGS Vault that allow you to work with a broad array of payment data and not be in scope for PCI Compliance.
Implementing a series of security solutions that expand visibility and access management via device and user policies is crucial, as seen in NordLayer's Zero Trust Network Access feature.
The levels of PCI compliance for merchants and service providers are as follows:
- Level 1: Merchants with annual transactions over 6 million
- Level 2: Merchants with annual transactions between 1 million and 6 million
- Level 3: Merchants with annual transactions between 20,000 and 1 million
- Level 4: Merchants with annual transactions under 20,000
Fortra's Digital Guardian Data Loss Prevention solution can help meet PCI requirements by securing data at rest and in transit through encryption, performing integrity checks of transfers, and providing detailed audit trails and reporting of all transfers.
Compliance Process
The compliance process for PCI DSS is a complex and time-consuming task, requiring a thorough review of all systems and processes.
You'll need to identify all cardholder data and ensure it's stored, processed, and transmitted securely. This includes data like credit card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes.
Regular vulnerability scans and penetration testing are a must, as they help identify potential security weaknesses in your systems.
You'll need to implement a secure configuration for all systems, including firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems.
This includes ensuring all software and systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates.
You'll need to implement strong access controls, including multi-factor authentication and role-based access.
This includes limiting access to sensitive data and systems to only those who need it.
You'll need to implement a secure encryption process, including encryption of cardholder data at rest and in transit.
This includes using secure protocols like SSL/TLS for encryption.
Benefits and Requirements
Achieving PCI compliance requires following 12 requirements laid out in the PCI DSS, which fall under six overarching categories that provide an overview of the security controls necessary for PCI compliance.
These requirements are not limited to large corporations, as any organization that accepts, transmits, processes, or stores payment cards or cardholder data needs to adhere to the PCI DSS.
The level of PCI compliance required varies depending on an organization's transaction volume in a given year, with differences in the level of compliance needed.
For more insights, see: Solo 401k Reporting Requirements
What Happens with Non-Compliance?

If you're not PCI compliant, you're facing some serious risks. You could be hit with monetary fines, ranging from $10 per month to $1,000 per month or more.
Non-compliance can also lead to forensic audits, which can be a nightmare. An organization must provide compliance documents to a forensic examiner during a data breach, and if you don't have those documents, the examiner will have to perform an additional assessment.
Payment brands can place restrictions on non-compliant merchants, making it impossible to process credit card transactions. This can be a huge blow to your business, especially if you rely heavily on card payments.
A data breach can also severely damage your brand reputation and customer loyalty. Imagine being publicly scrutinized and losing customer trust due to poor credit card information control.
Here are the five risks of PCI DSS non-compliance and policy violation:
- Monetary fines ($10-$1,000 per month)
- Forensic audits
- Payment brand restrictions
- Brand reputation damage
- Reactive compliance (re-engineering or new equipment required)
Compliance Requirements
To achieve PCI compliance, organizations need to follow 12 requirements laid out in the PCI DSS.
These requirements fall under six overarching categories that provide an overview of the security controls necessary for PCI compliance.
Any organization that accepts, transmits, processes, or stores payment cards or cardholder data needs to adhere to the PCI DSS.
Differences in the level of PCI compliance required depend on an organization's transaction volume in a given year.
Your policy must thoroughly cover PCI DSS requirements to ensure you're meeting the necessary standards.
Security Measures
To maintain PCI compliance, it's essential to implement robust security measures. Implementing strong access control measures is crucial, which includes restricting access to cardholder data by businesses, assigning a unique ID to each person with computer access, and restricting physical access to credit card data.
Continuous monitoring and updating security measures are also vital to safeguard your organization against data breaches. This involves conducting frequent PCI scanning, penetration testing, and event log monitoring.
To achieve PCI compliance, organizations need to follow 12 requirements laid out in the PCI DSS. These PCI compliance requirements fall under six overarching categories that provide an overview of the security controls necessary for PCI compliance.

Here are some key security measures to consider:
- Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect payment card data
- Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
- Use and regularly update anti-virus software or other threat detecting and prevention programs
- Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Regularly updating security measures and conducting frequent PCI scanning can help prevent data breaches. It's also essential to maintain protection of cardholder data, including protecting stored cardholder data and encrypting transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks.
Audits and Certifications
High-quality PCI DSS audits are essential for ensuring your software complies with the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS).
Quality matters in compliance audits, and not all audits are alike.
To ensure your software is compliant, you need to synchronize everything in one place, as stated by experts.
High-Quality Audits. Period
High-quality audits are a must for ensuring compliance with industry standards. Not all compliance audits are alike, and quality matters.
A good audit can make all the difference in identifying and addressing potential security risks. Quality audits ensure that your software complies with the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) by synchronizing everything in one place.
Get Certified in 21 Days
Getting certified can be a long and daunting process, but it doesn't have to be. Achieving PCI Level 1 certification in 21 days is a game-changer for businesses of all types.
This accelerated certification process is a stark contrast to the typical 6-12 months it takes to achieve PCI Level 1 on your own. That's a huge time savings, and it's especially beneficial for businesses with limited resources or expertise.
Integrating with VGS allows you to begin securing and managing sensitive data instantly, with no changes needed to your existing systems.
See what others are reading: Pci Dss Qsa Certification Cost
Software and Tools
To achieve PCI compliance, it's essential to have the right tools in place. Fortra's Core Security Penetration Testing and Security Consulting Services can help identify vulnerabilities in your systems and networks.
Having a robust security solution is crucial to protecting against malicious software. Fortra's Alert Logic Managed Security Services provides real-time threat detection and response to minimize the risk of a breach.
Discover more: Hr Integrity Services
Regular security audits can also help ensure compliance. Fortra's Tripwire Integrity Management solution continuously monitors file systems and detects changes to sensitive data, helping to prevent unauthorized modifications.
Here are some key security solutions to consider for PCI compliance:
- Fortra's Core Security Penetration Testing and Security Consulting Services
- Fortra's Alert Logic Managed Security Services
- Fortra's Tripwire Integrity Management
Compliance Deadlines
PCI DSS v4.0 will be the industry standard from 2024 onward.
Effective March 31, 2024, PCI DSS v3.2.1 will be retired, and PCI DSS v4.0 will be the new PCI standard.
QSAs have already switched to conducting new PCI level 1 assessments against PCI DSS v4.0.
Companies must update their processes, procedures, and technology to ensure they meet the updated new requirements.
All PCI DSS v4.0 future-dated requirements will become mandatory on March 31, 2025.
This means companies have a year to update their systems and processes to meet the new standards.
To help you stay on track, here are the key compliance deadlines:
By staying on top of these deadlines, you can ensure your organization remains compliant with PCI DSS v4.0 and avoid any potential penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can help with PCI compliance?
RSI Security can assist with PCI compliance to ensure your data and customers' data are secure
Featured Images: pexels.com