A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering PCI DSS for Founding Engineers in Global Fintech
Build compliance depth that holds under technical scrutiny and peer review
$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.
Being questioned on compliance decisions without adequate technical backing
The situation this course is for
Technical leaders often face challenges when non-engineering stakeholders challenge security or compliance decisions. Without clear, implementation-specific reasoning tied to standards, these conversations can stall or erode credibility, even when the underlying design is sound.
Who this is for
Founding Engineers in fintech and payments-adjacent startups who are accountable for system design and compliance outcomes but lack formal training in audit-facing frameworks
Who this is not for
Compliance analysts without engineering responsibility, entry-level developers, or auditors focused only on checklists
What you walk away with
- Map each PCI DSS requirement directly to architectural patterns and code-level controls
- Reference specific implementations from real systems when defending design choices
- Anticipate auditor questions on scope, evidence, and segmentation with sourced responses
- Explain cryptographic controls and logging thresholds using test-based validation examples
- Confidently lead cross-functional discussions with security, legal, and product teams
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Decoding the PCI DSS Structure
Understand the six control domains and 12 requirements, mapped to engineering responsibilities and evidence types.
12 chapters in this module
- Control domain breakdown
- Scope boundaries in microservices
- Evidence types by requirement
- Mapping to NIST 800-53
- Segmentation fundamentals
- Tokenization scope
- Data flow diagrams
- System components definition
- Third-party in-scope services
- Compliance timelines
- ROEs and attestations
- Version 4.0 changes
Module 2. Network Security and Segmentation
Implement robust network controls that satisfy requirement 1 with real-world segmentation patterns.
12 chapters in this module
- Firewall rule design
- Default-deny principles
- Router ACL configurations
- Jump host policies
- DMZ architecture
- Cloud VPC design
- Egress filtering
- Peer review checklist
- Logging for rule changes
- Network diagrams for auditors
- Encryption in transit
- Zone-to-zone policies
Module 3. Secure Configuration of Systems
Apply secure baselines across operating systems and services to meet requirement 2.
12 chapters in this module
- CIS benchmark alignment
- Default account removal
- Vendor password policies
- OS hardening scripts
- Configuration drift detection
- Golden images
- SSH key management
- Service account hardening
- Automated compliance checks
- Change control workflows
- Audit log retention
- SCAP scanning
Module 4. Protecting Cardholder Data
Design systems that protect stored and transmitted data per requirement 3 and 4.
12 chapters in this module
- Data classification schema
- Tokenization vs masking
- PAN truncation
- Encryption key boundaries
- TLS 1.2+ enforcement
- Certificate rotation
- Secure key storage
- HSM integration
- Key lifecycle policies
- Data retention periods
- Data destruction proof
- Audit trail for access
Module 5. Strong Access Control Design
Implement role-based access and least privilege across systems handling card data.
12 chapters in this module
- RBAC schema design
- User provisioning workflows
- Segregation of duties
- MFA enforcement points
- Just-in-time access
- Break-glass procedures
- Admin session logging
- Access review cycles
- Password vault integration
- Session timeout policies
- SSO with SAML
- Privileged account monitoring
Module 6. Monitoring and Logging
Build audit-ready logging that satisfies requirement 10 with minimal overhead.
12 chapters in this module
- Critical event list
- Log formats and standards
- Centralized log collection
- Immutable storage
- Log retention duration
- Indexing for search
- Alerting thresholds
- Correlation rules
- Log integrity checks
- Time synchronization
- Log owner designation
- Incident response triggers
Module 7. Vulnerability Management
Run continuous scanning and remediation cycles that align with requirement 6 and 11.
12 chapters in this module
- Internal vulnerability scans
- External scan providers
- Automated patching
- Critical patch SLAs
- Third-party component tracking
- SBOM integration
- Zero-day response
- False positive triage
- Scan coverage reports
- Penetration test coordination
- Remediation evidence
- Executive summaries
Module 8. Policy and Program Management
Develop and maintain the required documentation and governance processes.
12 chapters in this module
- Information security policy
- Annual risk assessments
- Compliance roadmap
- Vendor risk management
- Incident response plan
- Business continuity planning
- Policy version control
- Training program design
- Compliance calendars
- Evidence retention
- Internal audit process
- Stakeholder communication
Module 9. Point-to-Point Encryption and Tokenization
Design end-to-end protection for card data in motion and at rest.
12 chapters in this module
- P2PE solution architecture
- Approved solution lists
- Key injection processes
- Decryption environment
- Token service design
- Idempotent token issuance
- Token vault encryption
- Token reconciliation
- Fraud detection hooks
- Chargeback linkage
- Dashboard visibility
- API security for tokens
Module 10. Cloud Deployment Patterns
Apply PCI DSS in AWS, GCP, and Azure environments with shared responsibility clarity.
12 chapters in this module
- Shared responsibility model
- VPC peering rules
- CloudTrail configuration
- GuardDuty integration
- S3 bucket policies
- KMS key management
- Cloud security posture tools
- Auto-remediators
- Workload segregation
- EKS/ECS hardening
- Serverless considerations
- Cloud-native logging
Module 11. Preparing for Audits and Assessments
Compile evidence and coordinate with QSA to streamline assessment cycles.
12 chapters in this module
- AoC preparation
- Evidence collection
- Interview preparation
- Gap analysis
- Remediation tracking
- ROTA responses
- Evidence versioning
- Stakeholder coordination
- Timebox management
- Follow-up responses
- Non-compliance explanations
- Post-assessment actions
Module 12. Sustaining Compliance Over Time
Operationalize compliance so it evolves with engineering velocity.
12 chapters in this module
- Automated compliance tests
- CI/CD integration
- Infrastructure as code checks
- Drift detection alerts
- Quarterly review cycles
- Change advisory boards
- Compliance debt tracking
- Team onboarding
- Cross-functional syncs
- Metrics for leadership
- Process improvement
- Lessons learned
How this maps to your situation
- New feature launches under compliance constraints
- Preparation for first PCI DSS audit
- Response to QSA findings
- Scaling infrastructure without expanding scope
Before vs. after
Before
Having to rely on external teams or generic guidance when explaining compliance decisions
After
Owning the narrative with specific examples, sourced controls, and implementation clarity
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 4 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside active development cycles.
If nothing changes
Continuing to rely on high-level compliance statements risks losing credibility during technical reviews and may lead to last-minute scope surprises during audits.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews, this course maps every requirement directly to engineering decisions, code patterns, and system architecture seen in modern fintech.
Frequently asked
Is this course technical enough for a founding engineer?
Yes. Every requirement is taught through the lens of system design, code implementation, and infrastructure choices.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does it cover cloud environments?
Yes, with specific patterns for AWS, GCP, and Azure, including IAM, networking, and encryption design.
$199 one-time. Approximately 4 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside active development 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