Whether a small business or a large enterprise, if your business accepts, stores, or transmits card data, PCI DSS compliance is required on an annual basis. With different levels of compliance and the requirements ever evolving, it’s beneficial to have a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) working alongside your team to achieve and maintain PCI DSS compliance so you can continue to focus on your business objectives.
PCI DSS compliance levels are defined by the PCI Security Standards Council (SSC). There are four levels of PCI compliance, and the levels are based on the number of card transactions the company processes each year. For example, here you can see the merchant levels for Visa and Mastercard.
If you are level 1, you will need to undergo an external audit. If you are level 2-4, you can complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). However, due to the complexity of this questionnaire, many companies still seek outside support to help complete the SAQ.
If you fall within Level 1 of the PCI DSS compliance levels, you must have a PCI DSS audit performed annually. To complete a PCI audit, you need to work with a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) certified by the PCI Security Standards Council to perform an onsite audit of your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE), information security controls, policies, and procedures.
Once you pass the audit, the QSA must provide a Report of Compliance (ROC) to your bank. Finally, you must maintain compliance until your next annual audit. This may entail frequent vulnerability scans, inspection tests, and penetration tests to ensure your systems and networks keep credit and debit card data secure and private.
Whether you are undergoing your first audit or need support with ongoing compliance by way of penetration tests, vulnerability scans, or the like, the QSAs at Citrin Cooperman are able to plug-in where you need them.
A gap analysis is a process used to compare your organization’s current security posture against the PCI DSS requirements to identify areas of non-compliance. This helps determine the scope and effort needed to achieve full compliance.
Remediation assistance involves our team helping your organization address and correct deficiencies identified during assessments or gap analyses. It may include technical guidance, policy development, and implementation support to close compliance gaps.
Training ensures that your employees and stakeholders understand PCI DSS requirements and their responsibilities in maintaining compliance. It can be tailored for technical staff, management, and end-users to promote secure handling of cardholder data.
Penetration testing simulates real-world cyberattacks to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in your systems and networks. It is a PCI DSS requirement to ensure the security controls in place can withstand external and internal threats.
A Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) will perform an independent assessment to validate that an organization meets all applicable PCI DSS requirements. This formal process typically results in a Report on Compliance (ROC) and an Attestation of Compliance (AOC).
Ongoing PCI DSS audits and sustainment activities ensure your compliance is maintained throughout the year, not just during the annual review. These efforts include continuous monitoring, periodic assessments, and updates to controls as environments change.
PCI DSS stands for the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This standard is administered by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council and is mandated by the major credit and debit card brands, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
PCI DSS applies to any business or entity that accepts card payments, as well as card payment service providers, payment application vendors, financial institutions, and any company that stores, transmits, accepts, or processes cardholder data.
A company needs a PCI DSS audit if it stores, processes, or transmits payment card data, or if it handles cardholder data on behalf of another organization. The need for a formal audit is especially relevant for businesses with higher transaction volumes, typically classified as Level 1 merchants or service providers. If unsure, consulting with a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) can help determine audit requirements based on your specific payment environment.
A company needs to be PCI DSS compliant if it stores, processes, or transmits credit or debit card information, regardless of size or transaction volume. This includes merchants, service providers, and third parties that handle cardholder data. Even if you outsource payment processing, you are still responsible for ensuring that your vendors are compliant and that your environment meets PCI DSS requirements.
Only individuals certified from the PCI Security Standards Council as Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs), can perform a PCI DSS audit on behalf of a company. QSAs go through a rigid certification process, which includes experience in IT and audit disciplines, at least two industry-recognized professional certifications like ISACA, detailed documentation, a number of Quality Feedback Form submissions, plus annual trainings and examinations.
The complexity and time required to complete the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) depend on your business type, payment methods, and how you handle cardholder data. For businesses with simple payment environments and no data storage, the process can be relatively quick. However, for those with more complex systems or less documentation, it may require significant effort, especially to gather evidence and implement required controls.
Failing a PCI DSS audit can lead to serious consequences, including fines, increased scrutiny from payment processors, and potentially losing the ability to accept credit card payments. It also exposes your organization to greater risk of data breaches. The best course of action is to remediate the non-compliant areas promptly and work with your assessor or QSA to regain compliance.
Yes, even if you use a third-party vendor like Stripe, your business still has PCI DSS responsibilities. While the vendor may handle most of the technical aspects of compliance, you're still responsible for securing your systems, completing the appropriate SAQ, and ensuring your service providers are compliant. How much you need to do depends on your integration method and how much cardholder data you touch.
PCI DSS assessments, including SAQs and audits, are typically required annually, but the exact timing depends on your agreements with your acquiring bank or payment processor. Some service providers and high-volume merchants may also need to perform quarterly vulnerability scans. It's important to stay in touch with your processor or QSA to confirm submission deadlines and avoid penalties.
