A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering PCI DSS for Risk, Compliance, and Corporate Governance Consultants
Build authority and control in payment card compliance with a structured, field-tested approach tailored to senior governance practitioners.
$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.
Most consultants never get final say on compliance decisions, they review, revise, and defer. This course changes that.
The situation this course is for
Even experienced practitioners are often excluded from final approval on control design, scope decisions, or reporting narratives. Their input is valued, but the last word goes elsewhere.
Who this is for
Senior compliance and governance consultants who advise financial services, fintech, or regulated entities on risk frameworks and audit readiness.
Who this is not for
Junior analysts, internal IT staff without governance roles, or professionals focused solely on technical implementation without advisory or leadership responsibility.
What you walk away with
- Own the full PCI DSS assessment lifecycle from scoping to reporting
- Make binding decisions on control applicability and compensating controls
- Lead external assessor reviews with confidence and documented authority
- Deliver consistent, auditable packages that reduce client rework
- Become the named signatory on compliance deliverables accepted by acquiring institutions
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding PCI DSS Scope and Boundaries
Define what systems, people, and processes fall within PCI scope using real-world transaction flow examples and documented exclusion logic.
12 chapters in this module
- What qualifies as cardholder data
- Identifying primary account number handling
- Data flow mapping for compliance
- Scoping boundaries: retail vs e-commerce
- Third-party responsibility splits
- Virtualization impact on scope
- Cloud provider inclusions
- Point-to-point encryption exceptions
- Tokenization scope reduction
- Legacy system considerations
- Scope boundary documentation
- Client sign-off on scope definition
Module 2. Network Security and Firewall Configuration
Establish secure network zones and enforce firewall rules that meet Requirement 1, including documented justification for exceptions.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining DMZ architecture for compliance
- Firewall rule review frequency
- Default-deny policy setup
- Router configuration standards
- Remote access restrictions
- Change management for firewall updates
- Logging and alerting thresholds
- Service provider network controls
- Wireless network segmentation
- Network diagram documentation
- Reviewing provider SOC 2 reports
- Validating segmentation with testing
Module 3. Protecting Stored Cardholder Data
Apply Requirement 3 controls to ensure data minimization, encryption, and secure storage practices across databases and backups.
12 chapters in this module
- Data retention policy drafting
- Encryption key management basics
- Tokenization deployment patterns
- Database hardening standards
- Access logging for data stores
- Backup encryption requirements
- Data masking in testing environments
- Prohibited storage types
- Data lifecycle tracking
- Justified data retention cases
- Audit trail for access reviews
- Client reporting on data handling
Module 4. Encryption and Key Management
Implement strong cryptography across transmission and storage, with documented key rotation and protection protocols.
12 chapters in this module
- TLS version compliance
- Secure key storage options
- Key rotation schedules
- Certificate lifecycle tracking
- Asymmetric vs symmetric use cases
- HSM integration patterns
- Key custodian role definition
- Encryption scope validation
- Wireless encryption standards
- Session timeout configurations
- Key backup and recovery
- Third-party encryption services
Module 5. Access Control for Systems and Networks
Enforce least privilege and strong authentication across user roles with documented approval and review processes.
12 chapters in this module
- Role-based access design
- Unique user account enforcement
- Password complexity rules
- Multi-factor authentication setup
- Administrator access restrictions
- Physical access logging
- Service account controls
- Access review frequency
- Termination processes
- Remote worker policies
- Privileged access monitoring
- Break-glass account protocols
Module 6. Vulnerability Management Programs
Run regular scans, patch systems, and document remediation efforts to meet Requirement 6 and support assessor confidence.
12 chapters in this module
- Monthly patch cycle timing
- Approved scanning vendors
- Critical vulnerability response
- Malware protection policies
- Anti-virus update frequency
- Patch testing standards
- System inventory maintenance
- Asset tagging conventions
- End-of-life system handling
- Third-party patch validation
- Zero-day response protocols
- Vulnerability exception justification
Module 7. Penetration Testing and Internal Scans
Conduct and interpret penetration tests and internal vulnerability scans with assessor-grade rigor and reporting.
12 chapters in this module
- Internal scan frequency
- External scan vendor selection
- Penetration testing scope definition
- Social engineering component inclusion
- Application layer testing
- Network layer testing
- Reporting scan results
- Remediation tracking
- False positive validation
- Retest procedures
- Executive summary drafting
- Client communication plan
Module 8. Logging, Monitoring, and Alerting
Set up event logging across systems and enforce log protection and review procedures that satisfy audit requirements.
12 chapters in this module
- Event types to capture
- Log retention duration
- Secure log storage
- Time synchronization
- Log review frequency
- Centralized logging tools
- Alert thresholds
- Incident correlation
- Log integrity protection
- External assessor access
- Log export procedures
- Anomaly reporting
Module 9. Policy Development and Review
Draft and maintain formal, enforceable policies that align with PCI DSS requirements and organizational structure.
12 chapters in this module
- Information security policy drafting
- Acceptable use policy content
- Data protection policy
- Incident response policy
- Patch management policy
- Change control policy
- Policy review cycle
- Policy distribution evidence
- Policy exception handling
- Legal compliance mapping
- Regulatory update tracking
- Stakeholder feedback loop
Module 10. Third-Party Risk and Service Provider Oversight
Manage vendor compliance obligations with clear contracts, documentation, and audit follow-up.
12 chapters in this module
- Third-party risk assessment
- Vendor compliance validation
- Contractual language templates
- Service provider segmentation
- Sub-service provider tracking
- Attestation of Compliance review
- Distributed responsibility mapping
- Provider security questionnaires
- Ongoing monitoring frequency
- Offshore data handling rules
- Contract renewal triggers
- Vendor exit planning
Module 11. Incident Response and Breach Preparedness
Develop and test incident response plans that meet regulatory expectations and limit liability during real events.
12 chapters in this module
- Incident response team roles
- Detection and analysis steps
- Containment procedures
- Forensic investigation setup
- Legal notification timelines
- Regulator reporting
- Customer communication templates
- Breach classification
- Post-mortem process
- Plan testing frequency
- Tabletop exercise design
- Insurance coordination
Module 12. Building the Final Attestation Package
Compile all evidence, narratives, and approvals into a clean, assessor-ready package that supports timely validation.
12 chapters in this module
- ROC checklist completion
- AoC signing authority
- Evidence collection standards
- Client sign-off workflow
- Assessor handoff process
- Exception documentation
- Remediation plan templates
- Version control for packages
- Storage and retention
- Audit trail maintenance
- Client training on package use
- Reusability across engagements
How this maps to your situation
- Scoping a new client engagement
- Responding to assessor findings
- Leading a remediation initiative
- Preparing for renewal audit
Before vs. after
Before
Consultants wait for final approval from clients or assessors on key compliance decisions, limiting their influence and value.
After
You lead with documented authority, making final calls on control design, scope, and reporting, elevating your role from advisor to decision-maker.
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 week over 12 weeks, designed to fit alongside active client work.
If nothing changes
Without formal command of the full PCI DSS lifecycle, consultants remain in a support role, missing opportunities to lead engagements and own outcomes.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance webinars or self-guided standards documents, this course delivers role-specific workflows, real-world templates, and decision authority-building exercises used by top-tier consultants.
Frequently asked
Who is this course for?
Senior consultants in risk, compliance, and corporate governance who lead or influence PCI DSS assessments and client reporting.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will I get hands-on materials?
Yes, every module includes downloadable templates, real-world examples, and a final implementation playbook tailored to consultant workflows.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per week over 12 weeks, designed to fit alongside active client work..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours