A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering PCI DSS for Software Engineers Implementing Secure Payment Flows
Build compliant, resilient payment integrations with full command of the framework
$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.
Spending too much time reacting to compliance feedback instead of designing ahead of it?
The situation this course is for
Engineers building payment systems often face rework because compliance is treated as a downstream check, not an integrated design discipline. This creates friction between development velocity and auditor expectations.
Who this is for
Software engineers working on payment integrations who want to design with full command of PCI DSS
Who this is not for
Auditors, compliance officers, or managers without hands-on implementation experience
What you walk away with
- Map any payment architecture decision directly to PCI DSS control requirements
- Anticipate auditor questions before they’re asked
- Design compliant flows without waiting for security review cycles
- Confidently justify exemptions or compensating controls with framework-backed reasoning
- Reduce post-implementation compliance rework by at least 50%
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding PCI DSS Scope in Modern Payment Architectures
Learn how cardholder data environment boundaries are defined and where common scope creep occurs in distributed systems.
12 chapters in this module
- What qualifies as CHD
- Primary account number handling
- Tokenization and scope reduction
- E-commerce frontend risks
- Mobile app data capture
- Third-party processor boundaries
- Cloud infrastructure responsibilities
- Shared tenancy concerns
- Logging and monitoring scope
- Network segmentation principles
- Firewall rule alignment
- Common misconfigurations
Module 2. Building Secure Network Architecture
Design network controls that satisfy both operational needs and Requirement 1 of PCI DSS.
12 chapters in this module
- Zone-based segmentation
- Internal firewall policies
- Router ACLs for CDE
- Wireless network restrictions
- DMZ design for payment apps
- Jump host configuration
- Remote access controls
- Network diagram documentation
- Change control integration
- Penetration testing coordination
- Microsegmentation use cases
- Zero trust alignment
Module 3. Implementing Strong Access Control Measures
Apply Requirement 7 and 8 to real-world identity and authorization models in payment systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Principle of least privilege
- Role-based access design
- Two-factor authentication methods
- Admin account policies
- Service account governance
- Password complexity standards
- Session timeout implementation
- User provisioning workflows
- Access review automation
- API key management
- SSO integration challenges
- Break glass account controls
Module 4. Secure Development Lifecycle Integration
Embed PCI DSS requirements into CI/CD pipelines and code review practices.
12 chapters in this module
- Threat modeling techniques
- SAST tool selection
- DAST integration in pipelines
- PCI-relevant OWASP Top 10 items
- Code review checklists
- Secure coding standards
- Dependency scanning
- Container security
- Infrastructure as code validation
- Bug bounty alignment
- Patch management timing
- Vulnerability severity mapping
Module 5. Encryption and Key Management Design
Implement Requirement 3 and 4 with production-grade cryptographic practices.
12 chapters in this module
- CHD encryption in transit
- At-rest encryption design
- Key storage solutions
- HSM integration
- Key rotation policies
- End-to-end encryption paths
- TLS version compliance
- Certificate lifecycle
- Session encryption strength
- Data masking strategies
- Tokenization system design
- Key compromise procedures
Module 6. Logging, Monitoring, and Alerting for Compliance
Design audit trails that satisfy Requirement 10 while supporting operational needs.
12 chapters in this module
- Log retention duration
- Critical system logging
- Time synchronization
- Log integrity protection
- SIEM integration
- Automated alerting rules
- Event correlation
- Audit trail review
- Log access controls
- Anomaly detection
- Incident response integration
- Third-party log access
Module 7. Vulnerability Management at Scale
Align regular scanning and patching to PCI DSS Requirement 6 and 11.
12 chapters in this module
- Internal vulnerability scans
- External scan coordination
- Scan frequency compliance
- Penetration test scope
- Remediation timelines
- Risk acceptance process
- False positive handling
- Automated scanning tools
- Critical patch windows
- Zero-day response
- Third-party dependency risks
- Scan exclusion documentation
Module 8. Building Self-Assessment and Attestation Expertise
Navigate SAQ selection and ROC preparation as a technical contributor.
12 chapters in this module
- SAQ type decision tree
- ROC contributor role
- Evidence collection
- Control implementation timing
- GAP assessment process
- Compliance tracking tools
- Internal audit coordination
- External assessor prep
- Policy documentation
- Process flow diagrams
- Control testing evidence
- Remediation tracking
Module 9. Handling Third-Party Compliance Dependencies
Manage vendors and partners while maintaining compliance accountability.
12 chapters in this module
- Vendor risk tiers
- Contractual obligations
- Third-party assessment
- Cloud provider responsibilities
- Payment gateway alignment
- Subservice provider oversight
- Shared compliance burden
- Due diligence process
- Audit rights negotiation
- Compensating controls
- Onboarding new vendors
- Offboarding procedures
Module 10. Designing for Audit Readiness
Prepare systems and documentation to minimize audit friction.
12 chapters in this module
- Evidence organization
- Interview preparation
- Control demonstration
- Change logging
- Architecture diagram updates
- Compliance mapping
- Automated compliance checks
- Audit trail access
- Escalation paths
- Documentation review
- Evidence versioning
- Real-time monitoring
Module 11. Incident Response Planning for Cardholder Data
Build response playbooks that align with Requirement 12 and forensic needs.
12 chapters in this module
- Breach detection
- Containment steps
- Forensic data capture
- Legal obligation timeline
- Notification procedures
- Regulator reporting
- Post-mortem process
- Evidence preservation
- Communication plan
- Tabletop exercises
- Response team roles
- Recovery validation
Module 12. Maintaining Continuous Compliance
Turn PCI DSS from a point-in-time effort to an operational state.
12 chapters in this module
- Ongoing monitoring
- Automated compliance checks
- Change control gates
- Quarterly review cadence
- Policy refresh process
- Training updates
- Scope reassessment
- New feature evaluation
- Technology refresh impact
- Compliance debt tracking
- Stakeholder reporting
- Maturity model progression
How this maps to your situation
- After initial payment integration design
- Before security review cycle
- During pen test preparation
- Ahead of compliance audit
Before vs. after
Before
Reacting to compliance feedback after implementation, facing rework and delays
After
Designing with full command of PCI DSS, reducing audit friction and gaining recognition
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 12 hours of focused learning, or one hour per module.
If nothing changes
Continuing to treat PCI DSS as a downstream gate risks repeated rework, delayed launches, and missed opportunities to lead on security-sensitive projects.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews, this course is built for engineers who write code and design systems, it translates controls into technical decisions, not compliance abstractions.
Frequently asked
Is this course for developers or compliance teams?
It's for software engineers who build or integrate payment systems and want deep technical command of PCI DSS.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Do I need prior PCI DSS experience?
No, just hands-on experience with payment or secure systems. The course builds from first principles.
$199 one-time. Approximately 12 hours of focused learning, or one hour per module..
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