A tailored course, built for your situation
Influence in PCI DSS Program Decisions from Day One
Establish authority in payment security initiatives through structured program ownership
$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
Program Manager leading compliance initiatives in financial services with exposure to payment card data and control frameworks
Who this is not for
Individuals seeking technical auditor certification or hands-on firewall configuration roles
What you walk away with
- Own the control scoping call across teams with documented rationale
- Secure early input into audit planning cycles and evidence collection timelines
- Lead vendor review tracks for PCI-relevant systems without escalation
- Shape technical control validation approaches through cross-functional alignment
- Drive consensus on compensating controls using framework-backed reasoning
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Defining Program Ownership in PCI DSS
Establish your role in scoping, tracking, and influencing PCI DSS initiatives without direct audit authority.
12 chapters in this module
- Program vs process ownership
- Mapping business units to scope
- Control owner identification
- Evidence lifecycle planning
- Stakeholder communication rhythm
- Boundary setting with IT teams
- Version control for ASVs
- Tracking ROC completion status
- Building the compliance calendar
- Documenting in-scope systems
- Managing scope creep triggers
- Establishing escalation paths
Module 2. Control Scoping Authority
Lead consensus on which controls apply and how they are interpreted across departments.
12 chapters in this module
- Leveraging the SAQ matrix
- Interpreting control applicability
- Documenting rationale for exclusion
- Validating network segmentation
- Clarifying shared responsibilities
- Mapping cloud services to scope
- Assessing third-party inclusions
- Scoping point-of-sale devices
- Handling mobile payment apps
- Reviewing call center workflows
- Confirming encryption boundaries
- Signing off on scoping memos
Module 3. Influencing Control Design
Shape how controls are built and documented before validation begins.
12 chapters in this module
- Input into firewall rule design
- Reviewing change management logs
- Validating segmentation testing
- Specifying logging requirements
- Approving access review frequency
- Setting password complexity standards
- Reviewing MFA implementation
- Confirming anti-virus coverage
- Validating IDS/IPS deployment
- Specifying backup retention
- Approving encryption methods
- Signing off on secure coding
Module 4. Leading Evidence Workflows
Orchestrate evidence collection so your timeline governs the audit rhythm.
12 chapters in this module
- Building the evidence tracker
- Assigning data collection owners
- Setting internal deadlines
- Validating sample sizes
- Reviewing screenshots and logs
- Confirming timestamp accuracy
- Tracking policy attestation
- Managing firewall rule exports
- Verifying backup logs
- Approving vulnerability scan reports
- Reviewing penetration test results
- Finalizing evidence packages
Module 5. Shaping Validation Approaches
Influence how assessors test controls without managing the assessment directly.
12 chapters in this module
- Proposing test procedures
- Suggesting sample selection
- Clarifying control expectations
- Providing workflow documentation
- Scheduling walkthroughs
- Preparing system demos
- Validating assessor findings
- Disputing misapplied controls
- Negotiating remediation timelines
- Tracking ROV completion
- Confirming compensating controls
- Closing validation loops
Module 6. Owning the Attestation Package
Ensure the SoA and ROC reflect your program’s execution and intent.
12 chapters in this module
- Drafting the executive summary
- Populating control matrices
- Confirming control status
- Documenting compensating controls
- Reviewing assessor inputs
- Finalizing scope statements
- Signing off on ROC drafts
- Updating the SoA annually
- Archiving compliance records
- Sharing summaries with leadership
- Preparing for regulatory queries
- Versioning compliance reports
Module 7. Vendor Review Leadership
Lead technical reviews of third-party services impacting PCI scope.
12 chapters in this module
- Assessing vendor compliance status
- Reviewing SOC 2 reports
- Validating PCI DSS Attestations
- Conducting due diligence interviews
- Scoping vendor responsibilities
- Mapping services to control framework
- Confirming encryption practices
- Auditing logging capabilities
- Evaluating incident response
- Checking data retention policies
- Reviewing right-to-audit clauses
- Closing vendor review cycles
Module 8. Cross-Functional Influence
Position your program role as the central node for compliance coordination.
12 chapters in this module
- Running compliance steering calls
- Presenting to IT leadership
- Aligning with risk teams
- Coordinating with legal
- Engaging cybersecurity teams
- Updating business leaders
- Reporting to internal audit
- Collaborating with operations
- Integrating with change control
- Supporting incident response
- Escalating unresolved risks
- Closing alignment loops
Module 9. Managing Scope Changes
Control how new systems or processes impact PCI DSS coverage.
12 chapters in this module
- Evaluating new product launches
- Assessing cloud migrations
- Reviewing infrastructure changes
- Validating segmentation updates
- Updating documentation packages
- Notifying QSA teams
- Scheduling revalidation
- Tracking exception requests
- Approving temporary waivers
- Managing sunset timelines
- Updating inventory lists
- Closing scope change cycles
Module 10. Driving Compensating Controls
Lead the design and justification of alternative control strategies.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying control gaps
- Proposing alternative measures
- Documenting rationale
- Validating effectiveness
- Gaining cross-team approval
- Presenting to assessors
- Tracking implementation
- Scheduling reviews
- Updating policies
- Maintaining evidence
- Closing control exceptions
- Renewing annually
Module 11. Strategic Input into Roadmaps
Secure a seat in long-term planning discussions for payment systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Aligning with IT roadmaps
- Influencing cloud adoption
- Shaping encryption strategy
- Guiding IAM changes
- Advising on DevOps pipelines
- Recommending monitoring tools
- Suggesting automation paths
- Prioritizing tech upgrades
- Reviewing API security
- Assessing data flow changes
- Shaping incident response plans
- Confirming audit readiness
Module 12. Scaling Program Leadership
Turn your role into the foundational model for future compliance initiatives.
12 chapters in this module
- Documenting your playbook
- Training team members
- Standardizing templates
- Building knowledge repositories
- Creating onboarding guides
- Measuring program maturity
- Tracking efficiency gains
- Sharing best practices
- Influencing sister programs
- Mentoring junior staff
- Positioning for expansion
- Closing maturity loops
How this maps to your situation
- When launching a new payment processing workflow
- During QSA selection and engagement
- While managing vendor security reviews
- Ahead of annual ROC submission
Before vs. after
Before
Waiting for direction on compliance timelines and control ownership
After
Proactively shaping PCI DSS execution with recognized program authority
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, designed for integration into ongoing compliance cycles.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike certification prep courses, this program focuses on decision influence and program execution, not exam readiness. Compared to generic training, every module reflects actual program management workflows in financial services environments.
Frequently asked
Is this course focused on passing PCI DSS audits?
It’s focused on earning ownership in how the program runs , your ability to shape scoping, evidence workflows, and validation approaches.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does this replace needing a QSA?
No, but it strengthens your ability to lead internal coordination and reduce reliance on external consultants for core decisions.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed for integration into ongoing compliance cycles..
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