A tailored course, built for your situation
Direct authority over PCI DSS control implementation decisions
Build, adjust, and sign off on PCI DSS controls without escalation
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Who this is for
Senior individual contributor in regulated financial tech environments who influences compliance outcomes through engineering execution
Who this is not for
Managers looking for high-level overviews, consultants selling compliance programs, or auditors focused on checklist adherence
What you walk away with
- Decide what constitutes valid evidence for PCI DSS controls without review
- Adjust control parameters in response to system changes without re-approval
- Integrate control validations directly into deployment pipelines
- Design scoping boundaries for PCI DSS applicability based on data flow
- Document defensible rationale for control exceptions or compensating designs
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Defining control ownership boundaries
Establish clear scope for where your authority begins and ends in PCI DSS control design and enforcement. Clarify decision rights around segmentation, evidence, and logging thresholds.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping data flows to PCI scope
- Identifying out-of-scope systems
- Boundary documentation patterns
- Logging threshold ownership
- Evidence sufficiency criteria
- Change control exceptions
- Integration with network teams
- Documentation sign-off workflow
- Version control for scope maps
- Stakeholder alignment triggers
- Escalation avoidance tactics
- Audit-readiness checkpoint
Module 2. Evidence architecture design
Design evidence collection systems that meet PCI DSS requirements while minimizing overhead. Own the decision on what counts as acceptable proof.
12 chapters in this module
- Log retention duration decisions
- Automated snapshot collection
- Timestamp accuracy validation
- Storage location ownership
- Encryption in transit settings
- Access logging requirements
- Query response time targets
- Retention policy exceptions
- Evidence access controls
- Sampling methodology approval
- Evidence chain of custody
- Audit trail completeness check
Module 3. Control integration into CI CD pipelines
Embed PCI DSS controls directly into development workflows. Own the decision on when a build passes compliance checks.
12 chapters in this module
- Pre-commit hook integration
- Static analysis rules tuning
- Dependency scanning thresholds
- Secret detection sensitivity
- Pipeline gate approvals
- Failure rollback protocols
- Patch deployment windows
- Version tagging for audits
- Drift detection frequency
- Auto-remediation logic design
- Build-time compliance tags
- Pipeline audit log export
Module 4. Network segmentation validation
Define and verify segmentation rules that isolate cardholder data. Own the call on what constitutes effective isolation.
12 chapters in this module
- Firewall rule ownership
- VLAN boundary definitions
- Whitelist maintenance
- Port scanning policy
- Inter-zone communication logs
- Jump host access rules
- Microsegmentation thresholds
- DNS resolution controls
- Route table access
- NAT usage justification
- Segmentation test frequency
- Pen test scope approval
Module 5. Access control implementation
Design and enforce access policies for systems in scope. Own decisions on privilege levels and review cycles.
12 chapters in this module
- Role-based access criteria
- Privilege escalation paths
- MFA enforcement points
- Session timeout settings
- Break-glass account rules
- Access review frequency
- Credential rotation intervals
- Just-in-time access design
- User provisioning workflow
- Deactivation triggers
- Access log retention
- Emergency override logging
Module 6. Encryption strategy decisions
Set standards for data protection at rest and in transit. Own the call on algorithm selection and key management practices.
12 chapters in this module
- TLS version enforcement
- Cipher suite selection
- Key rotation intervals
- HSM integration points
- Data-at-rest encryption scope
- Key backup procedures
- Certificate renewal workflow
- Key escrow policy
- Encryption metadata logging
- Performance trade-off evaluation
- Legacy system exemptions
- Audit trail for key access
Module 7. Vulnerability management cadence
Define scanning frequency, patch timelines, and risk acceptance thresholds. Own the decision on what constitutes acceptable risk.
12 chapters in this module
- Scan frequency by tier
- Critical patch window
- Risk acceptance duration
- Exemption justification
- False positive review
- Third-party scanning integration
- Remediation tracking
- Patch validation steps
- Zero-day response plan
- Vendor patch coordination
- Rollback criteria
- Post-patch verification
Module 8. Change detection and alerting
Configure monitoring to detect unauthorized changes. Own the threshold for triggering alerts and investigations.
12 chapters in this module
- File integrity monitoring scope
- Baseline definition authority
- Alert sensitivity tuning
- Notification routing rules
- False positive triage
- Automated response actions
- Drift remediation workflow
- Configuration snapshot frequency
- Logging of alert changes
- Escalation time targets
- Root cause documentation
- Trend analysis inputs
Module 9. Policy exception management
Define and document acceptable deviations from standard controls. Own the call on compensating controls and review cycles.
12 chapters in this module
- Compensating control design
- Exception review frequency
- Risk scoring methodology
- Documentation completeness
- Approver bypass rules
- Temporary vs permanent
- Control overlap analysis
- Audit trail for exceptions
- Sunset clause enforcement
- Business justification standards
- Technical feasibility bar
- Exception trend reporting
Module 10. Third party control oversight
Set requirements for vendor compliance. Own the call on acceptable evidence from external providers.
12 chapters in this module
- Vendor attestation review
- Subservice provider tracking
- Onsite audit rights
- Contractual control clauses
- Evidence sufficiency bar
- SLA enforcement
- Penetration test sharing
- Incident response coordination
- Exit strategy planning
- Transition readiness
- Business continuity review
- Vendor audit trail access
Module 11. Log management architecture
Design centralized logging systems that meet retention and access requirements. Own the decision on log structure and retention.
12 chapters in this module
- Central repository ownership
- Log format standardization
- Timestamp synchronization
- Storage duration rules
- Access control design
- Search query efficiency
- Retention extension process
- Log pruning policy
- Export format standards
- Audit trail completeness
- Cross-system correlation
- Logging gap detection
Module 12. Audit preparation and response
Lead the compliance review process. Own the call on evidence delivery and clarification responses.
12 chapters in this module
- Request intake workflow
- Evidence assignment logic
- Response drafting authority
- Clarification follow-up timing
- Gap acceptance protocol
- Remediation timeline setting
- Evidence packaging format
- Internal review cycle
- External liaison role
- Findings validation steps
- Corrective action ownership
- Post-audit documentation
How this maps to your situation
- When a new service processes card data
- Before an external audit cycle begins
- After a major system change or migration
- During vendor onboarding for in-scope services
Before vs. after
Before
Waiting for approvals to adjust control configurations or define evidence sufficiency
After
Making immediate, documented decisions on control scope, evidence, and integration
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 3 hours per module, with flexible pacing. Most complete the course in 6-8 weeks while applying concepts directly to current work.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike broad compliance certifications or vendor-specific training, this course focuses exclusively on engineering authority within the PCI DSS framework, giving you specific, actionable decision rights others must escalate.
Frequently asked
Who is this course for?
Senior individual contributors in engineering and technical roles who influence compliance outcomes in PCI DSS-regulated environments.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me get certified?
No. This course is not a certification prep program. It’s designed to strengthen your decision-making authority within existing PCI DSS implementation work.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, with flexible pacing. Most complete the course in 6-8 weeks while applying concepts directly to current work..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours