Mastering PCI DSS Compliance A Complete Guide to Security and Risk Management
You're not just managing data. You're protecting trust. Every day without airtight payment security exposes your organisation to crippling breaches, regulatory penalties, and irreparable damage to customer confidence. The pressure is real. Stakeholders demand compliance. Auditors demand proof. And your career hinges on getting this right - not someday, but now. You’ve read the standards, attended the briefings, and tried to piece together policies from fragmented templates. But what you don’t have is a complete, field-tested system to implement PCI DSS *strategically* - not just to pass audits, but to future-proof your security posture and position yourself as a leader. Mastering PCI DSS Compliance A Complete Guide to Security and Risk Management is your blueprint. It transforms complex regulatory language into a precise, step-by-step methodology that arms you with the authority, documentation, and confidence to lead compliance initiatives from day one. One recent learner, Maya Tran, Lead Risk Analyst at a global fintech firm, used this course to design her company’s first PCI DSS programme. Within six weeks, she delivered a board-ready audit readiness report, reduced their control gap count by 87%, and was promoted to Compliance Strategy Lead. This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about building a reputation for operational excellence. And it starts with a structured path proven to take professionals from anxiety to assurance in under 60 days - with every tool, template, and decision framework included. Here’s how this course is structured to help you get there.Course Format & Delivery Details Self-paced, immediate access with lifetime upgrades included. Begin the moment you enrol. Progress on your schedule. Revisit content whenever you need - whether it's for an upcoming audit, a policy review, or promotion preparation. Designed for Real-World Demands
This fully on-demand course requires no fixed time commitments. Most learners complete the core material in 4-6 weeks with just 3-4 hours per week. You can implement key components - like a detailed risk assessment or remediation plan - in as little as 10 days. Access is 24/7 from any device, anywhere in the world. Whether you're reviewing policies on your laptop, auditing controls from a tablet, or preparing for an executive presentation on your phone, the entire course is mobile-optimised for seamless continuity. You receive full instructor support throughout your journey, including direct access to updates, clarification channels, and real-time feedback mechanisms embedded within each module to guide your application. Upon completion, you will earn a professionally formatted Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service, a globally recognised credential respected by enterprises, auditors, and risk officers worldwide. This certificate validates your expertise and strengthens your profile for advancement, consulting, or certification preparation. Zero-Risk Investment: Guaranteed Results
- Lifetime access to all course materials, including future updates at no additional cost
- No hidden fees, no recurring charges, no surprise costs - one-time transparent pricing
- Secure checkout accepting Visa, Mastercard, PayPal - encrypted and compliant
- 30-day satisfied or refunded guarantee - if the course doesn’t meet your expectations, you’ll receive a full refund, no questions asked
- Enrolment confirmation email sent immediately, with access details delivered separately once your course materials are fully prepared and verified
We know the biggest objection: “Will this work for *me*?” You may be new to compliance, transitioning from IT, or leading a cross-functional project with high stakes. This course works even if you’ve struggled with dense frameworks, lack audit experience, or operate in a complex multinational environment with layered compliance demands. Security architects, risk managers, CISOs, and compliance officers from Fortune 500 companies, fintech startups, and government agencies have used this same structure to accelerate readiness, reduce fines, and elevate their strategic influence. The difference is the system - not just theory, but reusable templates, risk analysis models, audit response workflows, and decision trees built from actual PCI DSS assessments across industries. This is risk reversed. You gain immediate access, proven methodology, lifetime updates, and full financial protection. The only thing you risk is staying behind while others lead.
Module 1: Understanding PCI DSS Fundamentals - Introduction to payment card industry data security standards
- Key stakeholders and their roles in compliance
- Data flow mapping in cardholder environments
- Differentiating between merchants and service providers
- Understanding the self-assessment questionnaire types
- The role of acquiring banks and payment brands
- Overview of the 12 PCI DSS requirements
- Scope definition and network segmentation basics
- Recognising cardholder data and sensitive authentication data
- The importance of data lifecycle management
- Core principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability
- How compliance reduces overall organisational risk
- Common misconceptions about PCI DSS enforcement
- Building organisational awareness from day one
- Integrating compliance into existing security culture
Module 2: Governance and Risk Management Frameworks - Establishing a PCI DSS governance committee
- Defining policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines
- Creating a board-level compliance reporting structure
- Linking PCI DSS to enterprise risk management frameworks
- Risk appetite and tolerance in payment environments
- Conducting a preliminary risk impact analysis
- Aligning with ISO 27001 and NIST frameworks
- Mapping regulatory overlap with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA
- Developing a compliance roadmap with milestones
- Assigning ownership and accountability roles
- Implementing a change control process for scope changes
- Documenting executive oversight and review cycles
- Using risk heat maps for prioritisation
- Integrating third-party risk into governance
- Measuring programme maturity using assessment models
Module 3: Secure Network Architecture and Design - Building a secure network topology for CDE isolation
- Best practices for internal and external firewalls
- Configuring default settings and vendor-supplied passwords
- Dual firewall architectures for public-facing systems
- Implementing VLANs and subnet separation strategies
- Maintaining a current network diagram
- Documenting all connections to cardholder data environment
- Using DMZs for customer-facing applications
- Securing wireless networks in payment environments
- Wi-Fi security configuration and encryption standards
- Identifying rogue access points
- Network access control for internal systems
- Secure routing configurations
- Minimising open ports and services
- Applying defence-in-depth principles
Module 4: Password and Authentication Management - Setting strong password policies across all systems
- Defining password complexity and length requirements
- Password expiration and rotation controls
- Prohibiting shared and group accounts
- Unique user IDs for individual accountability
- Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
- Implementing privileged access management
- Secure storage of authentication credentials
- Best practices for service account security
- Session timeout configurations for remote access
- Secure remote access solutions for vendors
- Mapping authentication flows to access logs
- Managing temporary and emergency accounts
- Conducting regular password audits
- Using password vaults and credential managers
Module 5: Protecting Cardholder Data - Identifying where cardholder data is stored
- Locating sensitive authentication data in databases
- Prohibiting storage of full magnetic stripe data
- Prohibiting storage of CVV2, CVC2, PIN blocks
- Data retention policies for transaction records
- Masking PAN in displays and reports
- Encrypting stored cardholder data
- Choosing appropriate encryption algorithms
- Securing decryption keys and key management
- Tokenisation as a scope reduction strategy
- Point-to-point encryption implementation models
- Managing data purging processes
- Verifying deletion through audit trails
- Data discovery tools for identifying stored PAN
- Conducting regular data inventory assessments
Module 6: Vulnerability Management Programme - Implementing an ongoing vulnerability scanning process
- Using approved scanning vendors for external scans
- Conducting internal vulnerability scans quarterly
- Remediating critical findings within 30 days
- Integrating automated patch management systems
- Establishing a patch approval workflow
- Tracking vulnerability remediation progress
- Managing zero-day threats in payment systems
- Using antivirus solutions on all system components
- Ensuring antivirus definitions are kept up to date
- Scanning for malware on servers and workstations
- Configuring malware protection for file integrity
- Integrating scanners into CI/CD pipelines
- Monitoring logs for malware detection events
- Reporting on malware incidents and containment
Module 7: Access Control and Least Privilege - Implementing role-based access control models
- Defining job function access rights
- Enforcing least privilege at the system level
- Regularly reviewing user access rights
- Conducting access recertification quarterly
- Suspension of inactive accounts after 90 days
- Immediate revocation upon employee termination
- Segregation of duties for critical functions
- Preventing developers from having production access
- Logging privileged account usage
- Reviewing console and administrative access
- Securing physical access to server rooms
- Tracking visitor access to technical areas
- Managing access to database management tools
- Using just-in-time access mechanisms
Module 8: Monitoring and Log Management - Developing a centralised logging strategy
- Identifying systems that generate audit logs
- Ensuring logs capture all access to CDE
- Implementing time synchronisation across systems
- Using UTC for standardised logging
- Log retention requirements of at least 12 months
- Quarterly log reviews for anomalies
- Storing logs in a secure, tamper-evident location
- Restricting access to log management systems
- Using SIEM tools for correlation and alerting
- Configuring alerts for failed logins and access
- Monitoring for unauthorised changes to configurations
- Tracking use of administrative privileges
- Integrating logs with incident response plans
- Producing evidence-ready log reports for auditors
Module 9: Testing and Validation Processes - Conducting internal network penetration testing annually
- Engaging qualified external penetration testers
- Defining test scope and obtaining authorisation
- Reviewing penetration test findings and remediation
- Retesting to confirm closure of vulnerabilities
- Documenting test methodology and tools used
- Managing test data securely
- Integrating testing into change management
- Performing application-layer security testing
- Reviewing web application firewall configurations
- Assessing API security in payment integrations
- Validating segmentation effectiveness
- Testing for rogue systems in network
- Conducting social engineering assessments
- Reporting results to governance committee
Module 10: Policy Development and Documentation - Creating a formal information security policy
- Developing a PCI DSS compliance policy
- Documenting data protection and retention policies
- Writing acceptable use policies for systems
- Establishing incident response policies
- Defining secure development lifecycle policies
- Creating third-party security policy requirements
- Documenting network security policies
- Writing password and authentication policies
- Developing physical security policies
- Establishing logging and monitoring policies
- Updating policies at least annually
- Distributing policies to all relevant staff
- Obtaining employee acknowledgment of policies
- Storing policies in a secure document repository
Module 11: Incident Response and Breach Management - Developing a formal incident response plan
- Defining incident classification levels
- Establishing an incident response team
- Creating contact lists for emergency response
- Implementing early detection and alerting systems
- Conducting regular incident response drills
- Responding to unauthorised access to card data
- Containing compromised systems immediately
- Collecting and preserving forensic evidence
- Engaging forensics experts and legal counsel
- Reporting breaches to payment brands and banks
- Notifying affected customers when required
- Providing remediation to impacted parties
- Conducting post-incident reviews
- Updating controls based on breach analysis
Module 12: Third-Party and Vendor Risk Management - Conducting vendor risk assessments
- Reviewing vendor PCI DSS compliance status
- Obtaining Attestations of Compliance from providers
- Drafting security requirements into contracts
- Managing shared responsibility models
- Monitoring vendor access to your environment
- Conducting periodic vendor reassessments
- Handling vendor-owned systems in your CDE
- Validating cloud provider security controls
- Managing SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS vendor risks
- Documenting third-party connections
- Revoking access when contracts end
- Using standardised vendor risk questionnaires
- Integrating vendor risk into annual audits
- Creating a centralised vendor inventory
Module 13: SAQ Selection and Completion - Understanding SAQ eligibility criteria
- Selecting the correct SAQ type A, B, C, C-VT, D
- Determining scope based on business model
- Completing SAQ sections accurately
- Verifying responses with evidence
- Obtaining executive sign-off on SAQ
- Submitting SAQ through acquiring bank portal
- Handling discrepancies in responses
- Managing SAQ completion for multiple entities
- Documenting SAQ rationale and supporting files
- Integrating SAQ prep into audit readiness
- Retaining SAQ records for audit trail
- Using automated tools to validate SAQ inputs
- Preparing for auditor follow-up questions
- Updating SAQ annually or after major changes
Module 14: ROC Preparation and Audit Readiness - Understanding the difference between SAQ and ROC
- Determining if your organisation requires a ROC
- Engaging a Qualified Security Assessor
- Preparing the scope statement for assessment
- Providing evidence of policy implementation
- Compiling security configuration reports
- Preparing network diagrams and data flows
- Organising access logs and monitoring records
- Presenting penetration test results
- Verifying segmentation test evidence
- Coordinating interviews with key personnel
- Managing auditor queries and follow-ups
- Addressing non-compliance findings
- Developing a remediation action plan
- Submitting final Report on Compliance package
Module 15: Specialised Environments and Industry Use Cases - PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- Introduction to payment card industry data security standards
- Key stakeholders and their roles in compliance
- Data flow mapping in cardholder environments
- Differentiating between merchants and service providers
- Understanding the self-assessment questionnaire types
- The role of acquiring banks and payment brands
- Overview of the 12 PCI DSS requirements
- Scope definition and network segmentation basics
- Recognising cardholder data and sensitive authentication data
- The importance of data lifecycle management
- Core principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability
- How compliance reduces overall organisational risk
- Common misconceptions about PCI DSS enforcement
- Building organisational awareness from day one
- Integrating compliance into existing security culture
Module 2: Governance and Risk Management Frameworks - Establishing a PCI DSS governance committee
- Defining policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines
- Creating a board-level compliance reporting structure
- Linking PCI DSS to enterprise risk management frameworks
- Risk appetite and tolerance in payment environments
- Conducting a preliminary risk impact analysis
- Aligning with ISO 27001 and NIST frameworks
- Mapping regulatory overlap with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA
- Developing a compliance roadmap with milestones
- Assigning ownership and accountability roles
- Implementing a change control process for scope changes
- Documenting executive oversight and review cycles
- Using risk heat maps for prioritisation
- Integrating third-party risk into governance
- Measuring programme maturity using assessment models
Module 3: Secure Network Architecture and Design - Building a secure network topology for CDE isolation
- Best practices for internal and external firewalls
- Configuring default settings and vendor-supplied passwords
- Dual firewall architectures for public-facing systems
- Implementing VLANs and subnet separation strategies
- Maintaining a current network diagram
- Documenting all connections to cardholder data environment
- Using DMZs for customer-facing applications
- Securing wireless networks in payment environments
- Wi-Fi security configuration and encryption standards
- Identifying rogue access points
- Network access control for internal systems
- Secure routing configurations
- Minimising open ports and services
- Applying defence-in-depth principles
Module 4: Password and Authentication Management - Setting strong password policies across all systems
- Defining password complexity and length requirements
- Password expiration and rotation controls
- Prohibiting shared and group accounts
- Unique user IDs for individual accountability
- Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
- Implementing privileged access management
- Secure storage of authentication credentials
- Best practices for service account security
- Session timeout configurations for remote access
- Secure remote access solutions for vendors
- Mapping authentication flows to access logs
- Managing temporary and emergency accounts
- Conducting regular password audits
- Using password vaults and credential managers
Module 5: Protecting Cardholder Data - Identifying where cardholder data is stored
- Locating sensitive authentication data in databases
- Prohibiting storage of full magnetic stripe data
- Prohibiting storage of CVV2, CVC2, PIN blocks
- Data retention policies for transaction records
- Masking PAN in displays and reports
- Encrypting stored cardholder data
- Choosing appropriate encryption algorithms
- Securing decryption keys and key management
- Tokenisation as a scope reduction strategy
- Point-to-point encryption implementation models
- Managing data purging processes
- Verifying deletion through audit trails
- Data discovery tools for identifying stored PAN
- Conducting regular data inventory assessments
Module 6: Vulnerability Management Programme - Implementing an ongoing vulnerability scanning process
- Using approved scanning vendors for external scans
- Conducting internal vulnerability scans quarterly
- Remediating critical findings within 30 days
- Integrating automated patch management systems
- Establishing a patch approval workflow
- Tracking vulnerability remediation progress
- Managing zero-day threats in payment systems
- Using antivirus solutions on all system components
- Ensuring antivirus definitions are kept up to date
- Scanning for malware on servers and workstations
- Configuring malware protection for file integrity
- Integrating scanners into CI/CD pipelines
- Monitoring logs for malware detection events
- Reporting on malware incidents and containment
Module 7: Access Control and Least Privilege - Implementing role-based access control models
- Defining job function access rights
- Enforcing least privilege at the system level
- Regularly reviewing user access rights
- Conducting access recertification quarterly
- Suspension of inactive accounts after 90 days
- Immediate revocation upon employee termination
- Segregation of duties for critical functions
- Preventing developers from having production access
- Logging privileged account usage
- Reviewing console and administrative access
- Securing physical access to server rooms
- Tracking visitor access to technical areas
- Managing access to database management tools
- Using just-in-time access mechanisms
Module 8: Monitoring and Log Management - Developing a centralised logging strategy
- Identifying systems that generate audit logs
- Ensuring logs capture all access to CDE
- Implementing time synchronisation across systems
- Using UTC for standardised logging
- Log retention requirements of at least 12 months
- Quarterly log reviews for anomalies
- Storing logs in a secure, tamper-evident location
- Restricting access to log management systems
- Using SIEM tools for correlation and alerting
- Configuring alerts for failed logins and access
- Monitoring for unauthorised changes to configurations
- Tracking use of administrative privileges
- Integrating logs with incident response plans
- Producing evidence-ready log reports for auditors
Module 9: Testing and Validation Processes - Conducting internal network penetration testing annually
- Engaging qualified external penetration testers
- Defining test scope and obtaining authorisation
- Reviewing penetration test findings and remediation
- Retesting to confirm closure of vulnerabilities
- Documenting test methodology and tools used
- Managing test data securely
- Integrating testing into change management
- Performing application-layer security testing
- Reviewing web application firewall configurations
- Assessing API security in payment integrations
- Validating segmentation effectiveness
- Testing for rogue systems in network
- Conducting social engineering assessments
- Reporting results to governance committee
Module 10: Policy Development and Documentation - Creating a formal information security policy
- Developing a PCI DSS compliance policy
- Documenting data protection and retention policies
- Writing acceptable use policies for systems
- Establishing incident response policies
- Defining secure development lifecycle policies
- Creating third-party security policy requirements
- Documenting network security policies
- Writing password and authentication policies
- Developing physical security policies
- Establishing logging and monitoring policies
- Updating policies at least annually
- Distributing policies to all relevant staff
- Obtaining employee acknowledgment of policies
- Storing policies in a secure document repository
Module 11: Incident Response and Breach Management - Developing a formal incident response plan
- Defining incident classification levels
- Establishing an incident response team
- Creating contact lists for emergency response
- Implementing early detection and alerting systems
- Conducting regular incident response drills
- Responding to unauthorised access to card data
- Containing compromised systems immediately
- Collecting and preserving forensic evidence
- Engaging forensics experts and legal counsel
- Reporting breaches to payment brands and banks
- Notifying affected customers when required
- Providing remediation to impacted parties
- Conducting post-incident reviews
- Updating controls based on breach analysis
Module 12: Third-Party and Vendor Risk Management - Conducting vendor risk assessments
- Reviewing vendor PCI DSS compliance status
- Obtaining Attestations of Compliance from providers
- Drafting security requirements into contracts
- Managing shared responsibility models
- Monitoring vendor access to your environment
- Conducting periodic vendor reassessments
- Handling vendor-owned systems in your CDE
- Validating cloud provider security controls
- Managing SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS vendor risks
- Documenting third-party connections
- Revoking access when contracts end
- Using standardised vendor risk questionnaires
- Integrating vendor risk into annual audits
- Creating a centralised vendor inventory
Module 13: SAQ Selection and Completion - Understanding SAQ eligibility criteria
- Selecting the correct SAQ type A, B, C, C-VT, D
- Determining scope based on business model
- Completing SAQ sections accurately
- Verifying responses with evidence
- Obtaining executive sign-off on SAQ
- Submitting SAQ through acquiring bank portal
- Handling discrepancies in responses
- Managing SAQ completion for multiple entities
- Documenting SAQ rationale and supporting files
- Integrating SAQ prep into audit readiness
- Retaining SAQ records for audit trail
- Using automated tools to validate SAQ inputs
- Preparing for auditor follow-up questions
- Updating SAQ annually or after major changes
Module 14: ROC Preparation and Audit Readiness - Understanding the difference between SAQ and ROC
- Determining if your organisation requires a ROC
- Engaging a Qualified Security Assessor
- Preparing the scope statement for assessment
- Providing evidence of policy implementation
- Compiling security configuration reports
- Preparing network diagrams and data flows
- Organising access logs and monitoring records
- Presenting penetration test results
- Verifying segmentation test evidence
- Coordinating interviews with key personnel
- Managing auditor queries and follow-ups
- Addressing non-compliance findings
- Developing a remediation action plan
- Submitting final Report on Compliance package
Module 15: Specialised Environments and Industry Use Cases - PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- Building a secure network topology for CDE isolation
- Best practices for internal and external firewalls
- Configuring default settings and vendor-supplied passwords
- Dual firewall architectures for public-facing systems
- Implementing VLANs and subnet separation strategies
- Maintaining a current network diagram
- Documenting all connections to cardholder data environment
- Using DMZs for customer-facing applications
- Securing wireless networks in payment environments
- Wi-Fi security configuration and encryption standards
- Identifying rogue access points
- Network access control for internal systems
- Secure routing configurations
- Minimising open ports and services
- Applying defence-in-depth principles
Module 4: Password and Authentication Management - Setting strong password policies across all systems
- Defining password complexity and length requirements
- Password expiration and rotation controls
- Prohibiting shared and group accounts
- Unique user IDs for individual accountability
- Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
- Implementing privileged access management
- Secure storage of authentication credentials
- Best practices for service account security
- Session timeout configurations for remote access
- Secure remote access solutions for vendors
- Mapping authentication flows to access logs
- Managing temporary and emergency accounts
- Conducting regular password audits
- Using password vaults and credential managers
Module 5: Protecting Cardholder Data - Identifying where cardholder data is stored
- Locating sensitive authentication data in databases
- Prohibiting storage of full magnetic stripe data
- Prohibiting storage of CVV2, CVC2, PIN blocks
- Data retention policies for transaction records
- Masking PAN in displays and reports
- Encrypting stored cardholder data
- Choosing appropriate encryption algorithms
- Securing decryption keys and key management
- Tokenisation as a scope reduction strategy
- Point-to-point encryption implementation models
- Managing data purging processes
- Verifying deletion through audit trails
- Data discovery tools for identifying stored PAN
- Conducting regular data inventory assessments
Module 6: Vulnerability Management Programme - Implementing an ongoing vulnerability scanning process
- Using approved scanning vendors for external scans
- Conducting internal vulnerability scans quarterly
- Remediating critical findings within 30 days
- Integrating automated patch management systems
- Establishing a patch approval workflow
- Tracking vulnerability remediation progress
- Managing zero-day threats in payment systems
- Using antivirus solutions on all system components
- Ensuring antivirus definitions are kept up to date
- Scanning for malware on servers and workstations
- Configuring malware protection for file integrity
- Integrating scanners into CI/CD pipelines
- Monitoring logs for malware detection events
- Reporting on malware incidents and containment
Module 7: Access Control and Least Privilege - Implementing role-based access control models
- Defining job function access rights
- Enforcing least privilege at the system level
- Regularly reviewing user access rights
- Conducting access recertification quarterly
- Suspension of inactive accounts after 90 days
- Immediate revocation upon employee termination
- Segregation of duties for critical functions
- Preventing developers from having production access
- Logging privileged account usage
- Reviewing console and administrative access
- Securing physical access to server rooms
- Tracking visitor access to technical areas
- Managing access to database management tools
- Using just-in-time access mechanisms
Module 8: Monitoring and Log Management - Developing a centralised logging strategy
- Identifying systems that generate audit logs
- Ensuring logs capture all access to CDE
- Implementing time synchronisation across systems
- Using UTC for standardised logging
- Log retention requirements of at least 12 months
- Quarterly log reviews for anomalies
- Storing logs in a secure, tamper-evident location
- Restricting access to log management systems
- Using SIEM tools for correlation and alerting
- Configuring alerts for failed logins and access
- Monitoring for unauthorised changes to configurations
- Tracking use of administrative privileges
- Integrating logs with incident response plans
- Producing evidence-ready log reports for auditors
Module 9: Testing and Validation Processes - Conducting internal network penetration testing annually
- Engaging qualified external penetration testers
- Defining test scope and obtaining authorisation
- Reviewing penetration test findings and remediation
- Retesting to confirm closure of vulnerabilities
- Documenting test methodology and tools used
- Managing test data securely
- Integrating testing into change management
- Performing application-layer security testing
- Reviewing web application firewall configurations
- Assessing API security in payment integrations
- Validating segmentation effectiveness
- Testing for rogue systems in network
- Conducting social engineering assessments
- Reporting results to governance committee
Module 10: Policy Development and Documentation - Creating a formal information security policy
- Developing a PCI DSS compliance policy
- Documenting data protection and retention policies
- Writing acceptable use policies for systems
- Establishing incident response policies
- Defining secure development lifecycle policies
- Creating third-party security policy requirements
- Documenting network security policies
- Writing password and authentication policies
- Developing physical security policies
- Establishing logging and monitoring policies
- Updating policies at least annually
- Distributing policies to all relevant staff
- Obtaining employee acknowledgment of policies
- Storing policies in a secure document repository
Module 11: Incident Response and Breach Management - Developing a formal incident response plan
- Defining incident classification levels
- Establishing an incident response team
- Creating contact lists for emergency response
- Implementing early detection and alerting systems
- Conducting regular incident response drills
- Responding to unauthorised access to card data
- Containing compromised systems immediately
- Collecting and preserving forensic evidence
- Engaging forensics experts and legal counsel
- Reporting breaches to payment brands and banks
- Notifying affected customers when required
- Providing remediation to impacted parties
- Conducting post-incident reviews
- Updating controls based on breach analysis
Module 12: Third-Party and Vendor Risk Management - Conducting vendor risk assessments
- Reviewing vendor PCI DSS compliance status
- Obtaining Attestations of Compliance from providers
- Drafting security requirements into contracts
- Managing shared responsibility models
- Monitoring vendor access to your environment
- Conducting periodic vendor reassessments
- Handling vendor-owned systems in your CDE
- Validating cloud provider security controls
- Managing SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS vendor risks
- Documenting third-party connections
- Revoking access when contracts end
- Using standardised vendor risk questionnaires
- Integrating vendor risk into annual audits
- Creating a centralised vendor inventory
Module 13: SAQ Selection and Completion - Understanding SAQ eligibility criteria
- Selecting the correct SAQ type A, B, C, C-VT, D
- Determining scope based on business model
- Completing SAQ sections accurately
- Verifying responses with evidence
- Obtaining executive sign-off on SAQ
- Submitting SAQ through acquiring bank portal
- Handling discrepancies in responses
- Managing SAQ completion for multiple entities
- Documenting SAQ rationale and supporting files
- Integrating SAQ prep into audit readiness
- Retaining SAQ records for audit trail
- Using automated tools to validate SAQ inputs
- Preparing for auditor follow-up questions
- Updating SAQ annually or after major changes
Module 14: ROC Preparation and Audit Readiness - Understanding the difference between SAQ and ROC
- Determining if your organisation requires a ROC
- Engaging a Qualified Security Assessor
- Preparing the scope statement for assessment
- Providing evidence of policy implementation
- Compiling security configuration reports
- Preparing network diagrams and data flows
- Organising access logs and monitoring records
- Presenting penetration test results
- Verifying segmentation test evidence
- Coordinating interviews with key personnel
- Managing auditor queries and follow-ups
- Addressing non-compliance findings
- Developing a remediation action plan
- Submitting final Report on Compliance package
Module 15: Specialised Environments and Industry Use Cases - PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- Identifying where cardholder data is stored
- Locating sensitive authentication data in databases
- Prohibiting storage of full magnetic stripe data
- Prohibiting storage of CVV2, CVC2, PIN blocks
- Data retention policies for transaction records
- Masking PAN in displays and reports
- Encrypting stored cardholder data
- Choosing appropriate encryption algorithms
- Securing decryption keys and key management
- Tokenisation as a scope reduction strategy
- Point-to-point encryption implementation models
- Managing data purging processes
- Verifying deletion through audit trails
- Data discovery tools for identifying stored PAN
- Conducting regular data inventory assessments
Module 6: Vulnerability Management Programme - Implementing an ongoing vulnerability scanning process
- Using approved scanning vendors for external scans
- Conducting internal vulnerability scans quarterly
- Remediating critical findings within 30 days
- Integrating automated patch management systems
- Establishing a patch approval workflow
- Tracking vulnerability remediation progress
- Managing zero-day threats in payment systems
- Using antivirus solutions on all system components
- Ensuring antivirus definitions are kept up to date
- Scanning for malware on servers and workstations
- Configuring malware protection for file integrity
- Integrating scanners into CI/CD pipelines
- Monitoring logs for malware detection events
- Reporting on malware incidents and containment
Module 7: Access Control and Least Privilege - Implementing role-based access control models
- Defining job function access rights
- Enforcing least privilege at the system level
- Regularly reviewing user access rights
- Conducting access recertification quarterly
- Suspension of inactive accounts after 90 days
- Immediate revocation upon employee termination
- Segregation of duties for critical functions
- Preventing developers from having production access
- Logging privileged account usage
- Reviewing console and administrative access
- Securing physical access to server rooms
- Tracking visitor access to technical areas
- Managing access to database management tools
- Using just-in-time access mechanisms
Module 8: Monitoring and Log Management - Developing a centralised logging strategy
- Identifying systems that generate audit logs
- Ensuring logs capture all access to CDE
- Implementing time synchronisation across systems
- Using UTC for standardised logging
- Log retention requirements of at least 12 months
- Quarterly log reviews for anomalies
- Storing logs in a secure, tamper-evident location
- Restricting access to log management systems
- Using SIEM tools for correlation and alerting
- Configuring alerts for failed logins and access
- Monitoring for unauthorised changes to configurations
- Tracking use of administrative privileges
- Integrating logs with incident response plans
- Producing evidence-ready log reports for auditors
Module 9: Testing and Validation Processes - Conducting internal network penetration testing annually
- Engaging qualified external penetration testers
- Defining test scope and obtaining authorisation
- Reviewing penetration test findings and remediation
- Retesting to confirm closure of vulnerabilities
- Documenting test methodology and tools used
- Managing test data securely
- Integrating testing into change management
- Performing application-layer security testing
- Reviewing web application firewall configurations
- Assessing API security in payment integrations
- Validating segmentation effectiveness
- Testing for rogue systems in network
- Conducting social engineering assessments
- Reporting results to governance committee
Module 10: Policy Development and Documentation - Creating a formal information security policy
- Developing a PCI DSS compliance policy
- Documenting data protection and retention policies
- Writing acceptable use policies for systems
- Establishing incident response policies
- Defining secure development lifecycle policies
- Creating third-party security policy requirements
- Documenting network security policies
- Writing password and authentication policies
- Developing physical security policies
- Establishing logging and monitoring policies
- Updating policies at least annually
- Distributing policies to all relevant staff
- Obtaining employee acknowledgment of policies
- Storing policies in a secure document repository
Module 11: Incident Response and Breach Management - Developing a formal incident response plan
- Defining incident classification levels
- Establishing an incident response team
- Creating contact lists for emergency response
- Implementing early detection and alerting systems
- Conducting regular incident response drills
- Responding to unauthorised access to card data
- Containing compromised systems immediately
- Collecting and preserving forensic evidence
- Engaging forensics experts and legal counsel
- Reporting breaches to payment brands and banks
- Notifying affected customers when required
- Providing remediation to impacted parties
- Conducting post-incident reviews
- Updating controls based on breach analysis
Module 12: Third-Party and Vendor Risk Management - Conducting vendor risk assessments
- Reviewing vendor PCI DSS compliance status
- Obtaining Attestations of Compliance from providers
- Drafting security requirements into contracts
- Managing shared responsibility models
- Monitoring vendor access to your environment
- Conducting periodic vendor reassessments
- Handling vendor-owned systems in your CDE
- Validating cloud provider security controls
- Managing SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS vendor risks
- Documenting third-party connections
- Revoking access when contracts end
- Using standardised vendor risk questionnaires
- Integrating vendor risk into annual audits
- Creating a centralised vendor inventory
Module 13: SAQ Selection and Completion - Understanding SAQ eligibility criteria
- Selecting the correct SAQ type A, B, C, C-VT, D
- Determining scope based on business model
- Completing SAQ sections accurately
- Verifying responses with evidence
- Obtaining executive sign-off on SAQ
- Submitting SAQ through acquiring bank portal
- Handling discrepancies in responses
- Managing SAQ completion for multiple entities
- Documenting SAQ rationale and supporting files
- Integrating SAQ prep into audit readiness
- Retaining SAQ records for audit trail
- Using automated tools to validate SAQ inputs
- Preparing for auditor follow-up questions
- Updating SAQ annually or after major changes
Module 14: ROC Preparation and Audit Readiness - Understanding the difference between SAQ and ROC
- Determining if your organisation requires a ROC
- Engaging a Qualified Security Assessor
- Preparing the scope statement for assessment
- Providing evidence of policy implementation
- Compiling security configuration reports
- Preparing network diagrams and data flows
- Organising access logs and monitoring records
- Presenting penetration test results
- Verifying segmentation test evidence
- Coordinating interviews with key personnel
- Managing auditor queries and follow-ups
- Addressing non-compliance findings
- Developing a remediation action plan
- Submitting final Report on Compliance package
Module 15: Specialised Environments and Industry Use Cases - PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- Implementing role-based access control models
- Defining job function access rights
- Enforcing least privilege at the system level
- Regularly reviewing user access rights
- Conducting access recertification quarterly
- Suspension of inactive accounts after 90 days
- Immediate revocation upon employee termination
- Segregation of duties for critical functions
- Preventing developers from having production access
- Logging privileged account usage
- Reviewing console and administrative access
- Securing physical access to server rooms
- Tracking visitor access to technical areas
- Managing access to database management tools
- Using just-in-time access mechanisms
Module 8: Monitoring and Log Management - Developing a centralised logging strategy
- Identifying systems that generate audit logs
- Ensuring logs capture all access to CDE
- Implementing time synchronisation across systems
- Using UTC for standardised logging
- Log retention requirements of at least 12 months
- Quarterly log reviews for anomalies
- Storing logs in a secure, tamper-evident location
- Restricting access to log management systems
- Using SIEM tools for correlation and alerting
- Configuring alerts for failed logins and access
- Monitoring for unauthorised changes to configurations
- Tracking use of administrative privileges
- Integrating logs with incident response plans
- Producing evidence-ready log reports for auditors
Module 9: Testing and Validation Processes - Conducting internal network penetration testing annually
- Engaging qualified external penetration testers
- Defining test scope and obtaining authorisation
- Reviewing penetration test findings and remediation
- Retesting to confirm closure of vulnerabilities
- Documenting test methodology and tools used
- Managing test data securely
- Integrating testing into change management
- Performing application-layer security testing
- Reviewing web application firewall configurations
- Assessing API security in payment integrations
- Validating segmentation effectiveness
- Testing for rogue systems in network
- Conducting social engineering assessments
- Reporting results to governance committee
Module 10: Policy Development and Documentation - Creating a formal information security policy
- Developing a PCI DSS compliance policy
- Documenting data protection and retention policies
- Writing acceptable use policies for systems
- Establishing incident response policies
- Defining secure development lifecycle policies
- Creating third-party security policy requirements
- Documenting network security policies
- Writing password and authentication policies
- Developing physical security policies
- Establishing logging and monitoring policies
- Updating policies at least annually
- Distributing policies to all relevant staff
- Obtaining employee acknowledgment of policies
- Storing policies in a secure document repository
Module 11: Incident Response and Breach Management - Developing a formal incident response plan
- Defining incident classification levels
- Establishing an incident response team
- Creating contact lists for emergency response
- Implementing early detection and alerting systems
- Conducting regular incident response drills
- Responding to unauthorised access to card data
- Containing compromised systems immediately
- Collecting and preserving forensic evidence
- Engaging forensics experts and legal counsel
- Reporting breaches to payment brands and banks
- Notifying affected customers when required
- Providing remediation to impacted parties
- Conducting post-incident reviews
- Updating controls based on breach analysis
Module 12: Third-Party and Vendor Risk Management - Conducting vendor risk assessments
- Reviewing vendor PCI DSS compliance status
- Obtaining Attestations of Compliance from providers
- Drafting security requirements into contracts
- Managing shared responsibility models
- Monitoring vendor access to your environment
- Conducting periodic vendor reassessments
- Handling vendor-owned systems in your CDE
- Validating cloud provider security controls
- Managing SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS vendor risks
- Documenting third-party connections
- Revoking access when contracts end
- Using standardised vendor risk questionnaires
- Integrating vendor risk into annual audits
- Creating a centralised vendor inventory
Module 13: SAQ Selection and Completion - Understanding SAQ eligibility criteria
- Selecting the correct SAQ type A, B, C, C-VT, D
- Determining scope based on business model
- Completing SAQ sections accurately
- Verifying responses with evidence
- Obtaining executive sign-off on SAQ
- Submitting SAQ through acquiring bank portal
- Handling discrepancies in responses
- Managing SAQ completion for multiple entities
- Documenting SAQ rationale and supporting files
- Integrating SAQ prep into audit readiness
- Retaining SAQ records for audit trail
- Using automated tools to validate SAQ inputs
- Preparing for auditor follow-up questions
- Updating SAQ annually or after major changes
Module 14: ROC Preparation and Audit Readiness - Understanding the difference between SAQ and ROC
- Determining if your organisation requires a ROC
- Engaging a Qualified Security Assessor
- Preparing the scope statement for assessment
- Providing evidence of policy implementation
- Compiling security configuration reports
- Preparing network diagrams and data flows
- Organising access logs and monitoring records
- Presenting penetration test results
- Verifying segmentation test evidence
- Coordinating interviews with key personnel
- Managing auditor queries and follow-ups
- Addressing non-compliance findings
- Developing a remediation action plan
- Submitting final Report on Compliance package
Module 15: Specialised Environments and Industry Use Cases - PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- Conducting internal network penetration testing annually
- Engaging qualified external penetration testers
- Defining test scope and obtaining authorisation
- Reviewing penetration test findings and remediation
- Retesting to confirm closure of vulnerabilities
- Documenting test methodology and tools used
- Managing test data securely
- Integrating testing into change management
- Performing application-layer security testing
- Reviewing web application firewall configurations
- Assessing API security in payment integrations
- Validating segmentation effectiveness
- Testing for rogue systems in network
- Conducting social engineering assessments
- Reporting results to governance committee
Module 10: Policy Development and Documentation - Creating a formal information security policy
- Developing a PCI DSS compliance policy
- Documenting data protection and retention policies
- Writing acceptable use policies for systems
- Establishing incident response policies
- Defining secure development lifecycle policies
- Creating third-party security policy requirements
- Documenting network security policies
- Writing password and authentication policies
- Developing physical security policies
- Establishing logging and monitoring policies
- Updating policies at least annually
- Distributing policies to all relevant staff
- Obtaining employee acknowledgment of policies
- Storing policies in a secure document repository
Module 11: Incident Response and Breach Management - Developing a formal incident response plan
- Defining incident classification levels
- Establishing an incident response team
- Creating contact lists for emergency response
- Implementing early detection and alerting systems
- Conducting regular incident response drills
- Responding to unauthorised access to card data
- Containing compromised systems immediately
- Collecting and preserving forensic evidence
- Engaging forensics experts and legal counsel
- Reporting breaches to payment brands and banks
- Notifying affected customers when required
- Providing remediation to impacted parties
- Conducting post-incident reviews
- Updating controls based on breach analysis
Module 12: Third-Party and Vendor Risk Management - Conducting vendor risk assessments
- Reviewing vendor PCI DSS compliance status
- Obtaining Attestations of Compliance from providers
- Drafting security requirements into contracts
- Managing shared responsibility models
- Monitoring vendor access to your environment
- Conducting periodic vendor reassessments
- Handling vendor-owned systems in your CDE
- Validating cloud provider security controls
- Managing SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS vendor risks
- Documenting third-party connections
- Revoking access when contracts end
- Using standardised vendor risk questionnaires
- Integrating vendor risk into annual audits
- Creating a centralised vendor inventory
Module 13: SAQ Selection and Completion - Understanding SAQ eligibility criteria
- Selecting the correct SAQ type A, B, C, C-VT, D
- Determining scope based on business model
- Completing SAQ sections accurately
- Verifying responses with evidence
- Obtaining executive sign-off on SAQ
- Submitting SAQ through acquiring bank portal
- Handling discrepancies in responses
- Managing SAQ completion for multiple entities
- Documenting SAQ rationale and supporting files
- Integrating SAQ prep into audit readiness
- Retaining SAQ records for audit trail
- Using automated tools to validate SAQ inputs
- Preparing for auditor follow-up questions
- Updating SAQ annually or after major changes
Module 14: ROC Preparation and Audit Readiness - Understanding the difference between SAQ and ROC
- Determining if your organisation requires a ROC
- Engaging a Qualified Security Assessor
- Preparing the scope statement for assessment
- Providing evidence of policy implementation
- Compiling security configuration reports
- Preparing network diagrams and data flows
- Organising access logs and monitoring records
- Presenting penetration test results
- Verifying segmentation test evidence
- Coordinating interviews with key personnel
- Managing auditor queries and follow-ups
- Addressing non-compliance findings
- Developing a remediation action plan
- Submitting final Report on Compliance package
Module 15: Specialised Environments and Industry Use Cases - PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- Developing a formal incident response plan
- Defining incident classification levels
- Establishing an incident response team
- Creating contact lists for emergency response
- Implementing early detection and alerting systems
- Conducting regular incident response drills
- Responding to unauthorised access to card data
- Containing compromised systems immediately
- Collecting and preserving forensic evidence
- Engaging forensics experts and legal counsel
- Reporting breaches to payment brands and banks
- Notifying affected customers when required
- Providing remediation to impacted parties
- Conducting post-incident reviews
- Updating controls based on breach analysis
Module 12: Third-Party and Vendor Risk Management - Conducting vendor risk assessments
- Reviewing vendor PCI DSS compliance status
- Obtaining Attestations of Compliance from providers
- Drafting security requirements into contracts
- Managing shared responsibility models
- Monitoring vendor access to your environment
- Conducting periodic vendor reassessments
- Handling vendor-owned systems in your CDE
- Validating cloud provider security controls
- Managing SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS vendor risks
- Documenting third-party connections
- Revoking access when contracts end
- Using standardised vendor risk questionnaires
- Integrating vendor risk into annual audits
- Creating a centralised vendor inventory
Module 13: SAQ Selection and Completion - Understanding SAQ eligibility criteria
- Selecting the correct SAQ type A, B, C, C-VT, D
- Determining scope based on business model
- Completing SAQ sections accurately
- Verifying responses with evidence
- Obtaining executive sign-off on SAQ
- Submitting SAQ through acquiring bank portal
- Handling discrepancies in responses
- Managing SAQ completion for multiple entities
- Documenting SAQ rationale and supporting files
- Integrating SAQ prep into audit readiness
- Retaining SAQ records for audit trail
- Using automated tools to validate SAQ inputs
- Preparing for auditor follow-up questions
- Updating SAQ annually or after major changes
Module 14: ROC Preparation and Audit Readiness - Understanding the difference between SAQ and ROC
- Determining if your organisation requires a ROC
- Engaging a Qualified Security Assessor
- Preparing the scope statement for assessment
- Providing evidence of policy implementation
- Compiling security configuration reports
- Preparing network diagrams and data flows
- Organising access logs and monitoring records
- Presenting penetration test results
- Verifying segmentation test evidence
- Coordinating interviews with key personnel
- Managing auditor queries and follow-ups
- Addressing non-compliance findings
- Developing a remediation action plan
- Submitting final Report on Compliance package
Module 15: Specialised Environments and Industry Use Cases - PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- Understanding SAQ eligibility criteria
- Selecting the correct SAQ type A, B, C, C-VT, D
- Determining scope based on business model
- Completing SAQ sections accurately
- Verifying responses with evidence
- Obtaining executive sign-off on SAQ
- Submitting SAQ through acquiring bank portal
- Handling discrepancies in responses
- Managing SAQ completion for multiple entities
- Documenting SAQ rationale and supporting files
- Integrating SAQ prep into audit readiness
- Retaining SAQ records for audit trail
- Using automated tools to validate SAQ inputs
- Preparing for auditor follow-up questions
- Updating SAQ annually or after major changes
Module 14: ROC Preparation and Audit Readiness - Understanding the difference between SAQ and ROC
- Determining if your organisation requires a ROC
- Engaging a Qualified Security Assessor
- Preparing the scope statement for assessment
- Providing evidence of policy implementation
- Compiling security configuration reports
- Preparing network diagrams and data flows
- Organising access logs and monitoring records
- Presenting penetration test results
- Verifying segmentation test evidence
- Coordinating interviews with key personnel
- Managing auditor queries and follow-ups
- Addressing non-compliance findings
- Developing a remediation action plan
- Submitting final Report on Compliance package
Module 15: Specialised Environments and Industry Use Cases - PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- PCI compliance for e-commerce platforms
- Securing call centres that accept card payments
- Handling mail-order and telephone-order transactions
- Compliance for payment gateways and processors
- Securing point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Mobile payment acceptance and device management
- Securing restaurant and retail payment terminals
- Cloud hosting considerations for PCI DSS
- Virtualised environments and hypervisor security
- Containerisation and microservices in payment apps
- Securing APIs that transmit cardholder data
- Managing compliance for franchise operations
- Handling compliance in M&A scenarios
- Cross-border data transfer considerations
- Industry-specific case studies and examples
Module 16: Continuous Compliance and Improvement - Establishing a continuous monitoring framework
- Automating evidence collection processes
- Conducting monthly compliance check-ins
- Scheduling quarterly control reviews
- Tracking key performance indicators for security
- Using dashboards for compliance visibility
- Planning for annual assessment cycles
- Updating documentation proactively
- Integrating compliance into change management
- Conducting internal audits between cycles
- Training new employees on PCI responsibilities
- Revising risk assessments annually
- Managing policy updates and version control
- Building a culture of shared accountability
- Positioning compliance as business enablement
Module 17: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service
- Preparing for industry certifications like PCIP
- Mapping course completion to career pathways
- Building a professional compliance portfolio
- Using the Certificate of Completion in job applications
- LinkedIn profile optimisation for compliance roles
- Negotiating promotions using documented expertise
- Becoming an internal PCI DSS subject matter expert
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Mentoring colleagues in compliance best practices
- Transitioning into risk, governance, or CISO tracks
- Delivering board-level compliance presentations
- Consulting externally using this methodology
- Staying current with PCI SSC updates
- Joining official PCI practitioner communities
- Final assessment and Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service