A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering PCI DSS for Sr Software Engineers in Security-Focused Environments
A step-by-step path to owning compliance decisions in payment systems design
$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.
Engineers default to deferring compliance decisions, this course makes you the final word
The situation this course is for
Even senior engineers hesitate when compliance and architecture intersect. The result: duplicated effort, delayed sign-offs, and reliance on policy teams who don’t grasp system constraints. Without clear ownership, critical controls get misaligned or over-engineered.
Who this is for
Sr Software Engineers in security-first orgs who are expected to design systems that pass audit but lack formal control authority
Who this is not for
Junior developers, auditors, or managers without hands-on system design responsibility
What you walk away with
- Own end-to-end PCI DSS scope definition for new payment integrations
- Lock down encryption and segmentation controls without policy team escalation
- Document control justifications with architecture diagrams and NIST-aligned mappings
- Lead pre-audit walkthroughs with internal teams using standardized templates
- Ship compliant-by-design modules on time, with zero rework cycles
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Defining PCI DSS Scope in Distributed Systems
Learn to isolate in-scope components using data flow diagrams and boundary rules. Identify cardholder data touchpoints across microservices and legacy routers.
12 chapters in this module
- Data flow mapping
- Scope boundary definition
- Router-level data inspection
- Service mesh tagging
- Logging entry points
- Identifying CDE components
- Exclusion criteria application
- Documentation standards
- Review with security teams
- Versioning scope diagrams
- Handling edge cases
- Common scope pitfalls
Module 2. Network Segmentation for Compliance Isolation
Design flat and segmented network zones that satisfy Requirement 1. Apply firewall rules, VLAN strategies, and monitoring paths for audit validation.
12 chapters in this module
- Flat vs segmented networks
- Firewall rule scoping
- VLAN isolation techniques
- Router ACL configuration
- Monitoring segmentation
- Testing bypass attempts
- Documentation for auditors
- Handling exceptions
- Change management
- Integration with SDN
- Common failures
- Audit evidence checklist
Module 3. Encryption Controls for Data in Transit
Implement TLS 1.2+ and IPsec correctly across hybrid environments. Map configurations to Requirement 4 and validate cipher strength in routing layers.
12 chapters in this module
- TLS version enforcement
- Certificate lifecycle
- Cipher suite selection
- IPsec tunnel setup
- Router-to-router encryption
- Session resumption rules
- Key rotation schedule
- Log encryption status
- Testing downgrade attacks
- Validation automation
- Auditor evidence pack
- Common misconfigurations
Module 4. Encryption Controls for Data at Rest
Apply AES-256 correctly to databases and storage. Align with Requirement 3 and ensure key management doesn't create single points of failure.
12 chapters in this module
- AES-256 implementation
- Database encryption setup
- Filesystem encryption
- Key storage design
- HSM integration
- Access control for keys
- Rotation protocols
- Decryption logging
- Snapshot security
- Backup encryption
- Access logging
- Audit trail generation
Module 5. Access Control for Systems and Services
Design role-based access that meets Requirement 7. Enforce least privilege in cloud and on-prem environments with automated validation.
12 chapters in this module
- User role definition
- Principle of least privilege
- Service account controls
- Multi-factor enforcement
- Access review cycles
- Just-in-time access
- Logging access changes
- De-provisioning workflow
- Cloud IAM setup
- Router CLI access
- Session timeout rules
- Audit log alignment
Module 6. Authentication and Session Management
Secure authentication flows to meet Requirement 8. Implement MFA, session timeouts, and password policies across systems and APIs.
12 chapters in this module
- MFA enforcement
- Password complexity
- Session token validity
- Login attempt limits
- Account lockout rules
- Recovery workflow
- API key rotation
- Token expiration
- Brute force detection
- Session revocation
- Mobile app handling
- Audit trail capture
Module 7. Vulnerability Management in Production
Run scans and patch cycles that satisfy Requirement 6. Prioritize findings based on exploitability and scope exposure, not just CVSS scores.
12 chapters in this module
- Scan frequency rules
- CVSS vs context
- Patch validation process
- Zero-day triage
- Router firmware updates
- False positive handling
- Exception documentation
- Remediation tracking
- Change control sync
- Rollback planning
- Vendor patch timelines
- Audit evidence compilation
Module 8. Logging and Monitoring for Audit Trails
Design logs that meet Requirement 10. Capture auth events, config changes, and access attempts with immutable storage and retention rules.
12 chapters in this module
- Log source identification
- Event types to capture
- Centralized logging
- Immutable storage
- Retention duration
- Log rotation setup
- Searchable format
- Alerting triggers
- Router logging config
- Time synchronization
- Log integrity checks
- Audit trail exports
Module 9. Secure Development Lifecycle Integration
Embed PCI DSS checks into CI/CD pipelines. Meet Requirement 6.3 with automated code scanning, dependency checks, and deployment gates.
12 chapters in this module
- SAST integration
- Dependency scanning
- Code review gates
- Secrets detection
- Pipeline automation
- Container scanning
- API security checks
- Threat modeling
- Developer training
- Policy-as-code
- Version control
- Compliance sign-off
Module 10. Penetration Testing and Red Team Alignment
Prepare for Requirement 11 tests with realistic scoping. Use findings to harden systems, not just document exceptions.
12 chapters in this module
- Test scope definition
- Internal vs external
- Red team access
- Vulnerability follow-up
- Misconfiguration review
- Router attack paths
- Firewall rule testing
- Reporting format
- Remediation tracking
- Executive summary
- Re-test protocol
- Audit package
Module 11. Documentation and Audit Package Assembly
Build the SoA, PoA, and ROC packages that satisfy Requirement 12. Use templates that reflect actual system design decisions.
12 chapters in this module
- SoA structure
- PoA content
- ROC preparation
- Attestation writing
- Control mapping
- Evidence indexing
- Version control
- Change tracking
- Executive summary
- Technical annexes
- Review workflow
- Final submission
Module 12. Operationalizing PCI DSS for Ongoing Compliance
Turn one-time certification into continuous compliance. Set up monitoring, review cycles, and update triggers that keep systems audit-ready.
12 chapters in this module
- Quarterly review setup
- Change detection
- Control drift alerts
- Automated evidence
- Team handovers
- Policy refresh cycle
- Vendor review integration
- Incident response sync
- Leadership reporting
- Budget alignment
- Tooling consolidation
- Knowledge retention
How this maps to your situation
- When launching a new payment integration
- During pre-audit preparation cycles
- After a penetration test finding
- Before renewing PCI DSS certification
Before vs. after
Before
Compliance decisions require cross-team alignment and multiple review layers, slowing development and creating ambiguity.
After
You own the final sign-off on PCI DSS control design, with clear documentation, audit-ready artefacts, and repeatable processes.
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 3-4 hours per module, designed to fit around core development work.
If nothing changes
Without clear ownership, engineers default to over-scoping or deferring decisions , leading to bloated architectures, delayed launches, and repeated audit findings.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance trainings, this course is built specifically for senior engineers who must make binding design decisions under audit pressure.
Frequently asked
Who is this course for?
Sr Software Engineers who design systems that handle payment data and must justify compliance controls to auditors.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me pass an audit?
Yes , the course teaches you to build systems and documentation that survive auditor scrutiny without escalation.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3-4 hours per module, designed to fit around core development 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