A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering PCI DSS for Executive Directors in Financial Services
Produce audit-ready controls and polished compliance artefacts on first submission
$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.
Stop revising compliance artefacts after review cycles
The situation this course is for
Even senior practitioners face repeated review loops when controls aren't fully aligned with evidence or narrative expectations. That delays approvals, strains cross-functional trust, and weakens credibility.
Who this is for
Executive Director in financial services with ownership over compliance-critical programs and cross-functional influence
Who this is not for
Entry-level analysts, auditors without control ownership, or team members focused only on testing (not design or sign-off)
What you walk away with
- Produce complete, accurate PCI DSS control documentation on first submission
- Build evidence packages that pass review without revision requests
- Deploy standardized templates aligned with actual audit expectations
- Write clear, defensible narratives that anticipate regulator follow-ups
- Reduce rework cycles between control design, documentation, and audit
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding PCI DSS Scope in Complex Financial Environments
Define cardholder data environments accurately and avoid over- or under-scoping. Includes real examples from global banking contexts.
12 chapters in this module
- Scope boundaries for distributed payment systems
- Identifying in-scope systems across hybrid infrastructures
- Mapping data flows in multi-jurisdiction environments
- Common missteps in scope definition
- Documentation standards for scope sign-off
- Working with infrastructure teams to validate boundaries
- Case example: Payment gateway integration
- Case example: Cloud-hosted POS system
- Template: Scope validation checklist
- Template: Data flow diagram notation
- Review pattern: Auditor pushback scenarios
- Action step: Draft your current environment scope
Module 2. Building a Foundation for Requirement 1: Network Security
Design secure network architectures that meet PCI DSS standards and support audit validation.
12 chapters in this module
- Firewall configuration best practices
- Documenting rule rationale for auditors
- Segmentation strategies for payment systems
- Evaluating cloud provider configurations
- Common gaps in network diagrams
- Integrating segmentation with zero trust
- Case example: On-prem to cloud migration
- Case example: Third-party access review
- Template: Firewall rule inventory
- Template: Network diagram annotation guide
- Review pattern: Evidence sufficiency check
- Action step: Map current firewall rules
Module 3. Implementing Requirement 2: System Configuration Standards
Establish defensible baselines for system hardening across operating systems and databases.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining secure configuration baselines
- Aligning with CIS benchmarks
- Handling exceptions and justifications
- Documenting deviation rationale
- Integrating with patch management
- Vendor system configurations
- Case example: Unix server deployment
- Case example: Database hardening
- Template: Configuration baseline document
- Template: Exception approval workflow
- Review pattern: Configuration drift detection
- Action step: Draft a baseline policy
Module 4. Designing for Requirement 3: Protecting Stored Cardholder Data
Ensure data protection controls are both technically sound and auditor-validated.
12 chapters in this module
- Encryption standards for data at rest
- Key management documentation
- Tokenization implementation paths
- Data retention policy alignment
- Auditor expectations on key rotation
- Proving encryption effectiveness
- Case example: Legacy system remediation
- Case example: Cloud storage encryption
- Template: Data protection register
- Template: Encryption validation log
- Review pattern: Evidence pack completeness
- Action step: Map encryption coverage
Module 5. Meeting Requirement 4: Strong Cryptography in Transit
Implement secure communication protocols that satisfy both technical and documentation standards.
12 chapters in this module
- TLS version and cipher suite requirements
- Certificate lifecycle management
- Documenting crypto usage across systems
- Auditor questions on key lengths
- Validating secure configurations
- Handling legacy system constraints
- Case example: API gateway configuration
- Case example: Mobile application integration
- Template: Crypto inventory
- Template: Certificate review log
- Review pattern: Protocol deprecation planning
- Action step: Audit current TLS usage
Module 6. Implementing Requirement 5: Malware Prevention Controls
Deploy and document anti-malware solutions across in-scope environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Anti-malware scope definition
- Configuration consistency checks
- Updating definitions and verification
- Exception handling for critical systems
- Auditor views on agent coverage
- Integrating with EDR platforms
- Case example: Trading floor endpoints
- Case example: Server workloads
- Template: Anti-malware coverage report
- Template: Exception log
- Review pattern: Agent status validation
- Action step: Review current deployment
Module 7. Designing Requirement 6: Secure Software Development
Embed compliance into development workflows with audit-ready artefacts.
12 chapters in this module
- Secure coding standards documentation
- Integrating PCI DSS into SDLC
- Code review checklists
- Vulnerability management integration
- Third-party component validation
- Penetration testing coordination
- Case example: API development
- Case example: Mobile app release
- Template: SDLC compliance checklist
- Template: Code review tracker
- Review pattern: Testing coverage validation
- Action step: Map controls to development phases
Module 8. Meeting Requirement 7: Access Control Design
Implement role-based access that satisfies both security and audit needs.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining access roles clearly
- Approval workflows for access requests
- Segregation of duties implementation
- Reviewing access logs for compliance
- Auditor expectations on access reviews
- Integrating with IAM systems
- Case example: Database access
- Case example: Payment application roles
- Template: Role definition document
- Template: Access review log
- Review pattern: SoD conflict detection
- Action step: Document current access model
Module 9. Designing Requirement 8: Authentication Controls
Implement strong authentication with clear audit trails.
12 chapters in this module
- Multi-factor authentication implementation
- Password policy documentation
- Authentication logging
- Single sign-on integration
- Auditor views on MFA coverage
- Handling emergency access
- Case example: Admin account access
- Case example: Third-party vendor access
- Template: Authentication policy
- Template: Emergency access log
- Review pattern: MFA coverage validation
- Action step: Audit MFA deployment
Module 10. Meeting Requirement 9: Physical Security Controls
Document physical protections for in-scope systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Data center access controls
- Visitor management policies
- Hardware inventory tracking
- Secure disposal documentation
- Auditor expectations on evidence
- Integrating with facilities teams
- Case example: Co-located equipment
- Case example: Office-based systems
- Template: Physical access log
- Template: Asset disposal form
- Review pattern: Evidence consistency
- Action step: Review current physical controls
Module 11. Implementing Requirement 10: Audit Trail Management
Generate reliable, tamper-resistant logs for compliance review.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining log content requirements
- Centralized logging implementation
- Clock synchronization validation
- Log retention and protection
- Auditor questions on log integrity
- Integrating with SIEM tools
- Case example: Payment transaction logs
- Case example: Admin activity tracking
- Template: Logging policy
- Template: Log review checklist
- Review pattern: Gap identification
- Action step: Map logging coverage
Module 12. Meeting Requirement 11: Vulnerability Scanning and Testing
Conduct and document security testing to meet PCI DSS requirements.
12 chapters in this module
- Internal and external scanning schedules
- Penetration testing frequency
- Engaging qualified assessors
- Documenting test results
- Remediating findings
- Auditor review of testing
- Case example: External scan execution
- Case example: Application penetration test
- Template: Scan schedule calendar
- Template: Pen test summary report
- Review pattern: Finding closure tracking
- Action step: Schedule next scan cycle
How this maps to your situation
- Designing controls for new payment systems
- Preparing for annual PCI DSS audit
- Reducing rework in documentation reviews
- Improving cross-functional alignment with IT and security
Before vs. after
Before
Reactive documentation cycles, recurring auditor questions, fragmented templates
After
Consistent, audit-ready outputs delivered on first submission with clear justification trails
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters total)
- 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, or 36 hours total , designed for completion over 6 weeks with 1 hour per business day.
If nothing changes
Continuing with inconsistent documentation increases review cycles, erodes cross-functional trust, and risks control exceptions during examination.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews, this course delivers specific templates, auditor-tested language, and financial services, specific examples that align with actual review patterns at global institutions.
Frequently asked
Is this course suitable for someone with existing PCI DSS experience?
Yes. It’s designed for experienced practitioners who want to produce higher-quality outputs with fewer review cycles and greater confidence in audit settings.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me pass my next audit?
Yes. The course focuses on producing the exact artefacts auditors look for, with templates and language proven to reduce follow-up questions and rework.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, or 36 hours total , designed for completion over 6 weeks with 1 hour per business day..
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