A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering PCI DSS for Senior Global Architects
A structured path to owning compliance decisions end to end
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Who this is for
Senior technical architects in global enterprises who own compliance-critical system design and must deliver audit-ready architectures without dependency on separate compliance teams.
Who this is not for
Junior compliance analysts, auditors, or consultants without system design authority. This is not a general awareness course or a checklist walkthrough.
What you walk away with
- Define PCI DSS scope and control ownership for new payment-adjacent systems
- Approve architecture diagrams with compliance-by-design built in
- Package evidence dossiers that pass initial review
- Lead pre-audit walkthroughs without compliance team mediation
- Update control mappings without escalation
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding PCI DSS Scope Boundaries
Learn how to define what systems fall in or out of PCI DSS scope based on data flow, segmentation, and trust boundaries. Focus on architect-level decisions that prevent scope creep.
12 chapters in this module
- Data flow mapping for PCI systems
- Network segmentation criteria
- Trusted system exemptions
- Tokenisation impact on scope
- Cloud provider responsibilities
- API gateway placement rules
- Point-to-point encryption thresholds
- Shared service risk profiling
- Application dependency analysis
- Logging requirements for boundary systems
- Third-party integration red lines
- Scope validation checklist
Module 2. Control Mapping for Distributed Systems
Translate PCI DSS requirements into technical controls across microservices, serverless, and legacy tiers. Build traceable mappings that survive team changes.
12 chapters in this module
- Requirement 1.2 1 mapping
- Firewall rule documentation standards
- Router configuration baselines
- ACL management practices
- Change control for network devices
- Time-synchronized logging setup
- Remote access audit trails
- Admin session encryption
- Wireless network tagging
- Network diagram update cadence
- Device inventory tracking
- Vendor access protocols
Module 3. Secure System Configuration
Implement secure baselines for servers, containers, and databases that satisfy PCI DSS 2.0 and 2.2. Focus on automation-friendly, repeatable hardening.
12 chapters in this module
- Default account removal process
- Vendor-supplied password changes
- System-specific parameters setup
- Secure configuration policies
- Daily patching cadence
- Critical patch window definitions
- Patch testing workflows
- Malware protection deployment
- Antivirus update checks
- File integrity monitoring
- Change detection alerts
- Log retention for security events
Module 4. Encryption and Key Management
Apply strong encryption for cardholder data at rest and in transit. Design key management that meets PCI DSS 3.5 and 3.6 with minimal operational drag.
12 chapters in this module
- Data encryption scope definition
- Cryptographic key storage
- Key rotation schedules
- Key distribution controls
- Public key infrastructure setup
- Certificate lifecycle management
- TLS version enforcement
- Session resumption policies
- Key backup procedures
- Key revocation process
- Multi-factor access to HSMs
- Key usage logging
Module 5. Access Control Design
Architect access pathways that comply with PCI DSS 7 and 8. Build role-based models that scale across global teams and vendors.
12 chapters in this module
- Access need justification
- Role-based access control
- User access provisioning
- Access review frequency
- Access revocation triggers
- Two-factor authentication methods
- Remote access controls
- Administrator access rules
- Vendor access validation
- Session timeout settings
- Access log retention
- Privileged session monitoring
Module 6. Logging and Monitoring Integration
Design logging into system architecture so audit trails meet PCI DSS 10. Focus on correlation, retention, and protection of logs.
12 chapters in this module
- Event logging criteria
- Log generation for access events
- Time synchronization
- Log protection methods
- Log retention duration
- Log review process
- Suspicious activity alerts
- Failed login tracking
- Administrative action logs
- Log centralization
- Log access controls
- Log integrity verification
Module 7. Vulnerability Management Workflows
Embed regular scanning and remediation into CI/CD pipelines. Align technical debt resolution with compliance deadlines.
12 chapters in this module
- Quarterly vulnerability scanning
- Internal scan procedures
- External scan coordination
- Penetration testing frequency
- Scan coverage validation
- Remediation timelines
- Critical finding escalation
- Retesting after fix
- Scanner credential management
- False positive handling
- Reporting to compliance teams
- Scan scheduling automation
Module 8. Compliance Evidence Packaging
Assemble audit-ready documentation that survives regulator follow-ups. Build packages that require no rework.
12 chapters in this module
- Evidence request mapping
- Document version control
- Interview preparation packets
- Control implementation proofs
- Policy cross-references
- Procedure walkthrough scripts
- Configuration snapshot formats
- Screenshot standards
- Log excerpt selection
- Gap disclosure templates
- Remediation plan formatting
- Executive summary drafting
Module 9. Third-Party Risk Integration
Design vendor onboarding with compliance enforceability. Ensure third parties don’t become audit liabilities.
12 chapters in this module
- Vendor compliance assessment
- Contractual obligation templates
- Service provider oversight
- Downstream compliance verification
- Shared responsibility models
- Cloud service addendums
- API security requirements
- Data processing agreements
- Subprocessor audits
- Onsite visit triggers
- Risk tiering model
- Exit clause enforcement
Module 10. Incident Response for PCI Systems
Architect detection and containment for breaches involving cardholder data. Meet PCI DSS 12.10 with integrated playbooks.
12 chapters in this module
- Incident response plan scope
- Breach detection alerts
- Containment procedures
- Forensic data preservation
- Law enforcement coordination
- Legal team escalation
- Customer notification process
- Regulator reporting
- Post-incident review
- Compromise timeline reconstruction
- Evidence chain of custody
- Recovery validation
Module 11. Policy and Procedure Documentation
Write policies that satisfy auditors and guide engineers. Avoid generic templates in favor of actionable, role-specific procedures.
12 chapters in this module
- Information security policy
- Risk assessment process
- Compliance responsibility matrix
- Change management policy
- Patch management procedure
- Vulnerability handling process
- Access request workflow
- User training requirements
- Physical security references
- Third-party management policy
- Policies review cadence
- Policy exception handling
Module 12. Audit Readiness and Follow-Up
Lead audit cycles confidently. Respond to findings with evidence, not concessions.
12 chapters in this module
- Audit planning coordination
- Evidence readiness check
- Interview rehearsal
- Finding classification
- Response drafting
- Remediation ownership
- Timeline negotiation
- Evidence submission
- Follow-up audit planning
- Control maturity demonstration
- Improvement roadmap sharing
- Final sign-off process
How this maps to your situation
- Designing a new payment gateway integration
- Responding to a third-party audit request
- Upgrading legacy systems in scope
- Onboarding a new cloud provider under PCI
Before vs. after
Before
Reliant on compliance teams to interpret requirements and prepare evidence
After
Owns end-to-end PCI DSS rollout decisions, from design to audit follow-up
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, designed to fit within existing work cycles.
If nothing changes
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How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews, this course focuses on decisions only a senior architect can make , no theory, no awareness, only actionable control implementation.
Frequently asked
Is this course only for compliance officers?
No , it's designed specifically for senior architects who own system design and must deliver audit-ready implementations.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does this cover cloud-specific PCI requirements?
Yes , including AWS, Azure, and GCP configurations that meet PCI DSS in hybrid environments.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to fit within existing work cycles..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours