A tailored course, built for your situation
Deeper command of the PCI DSS control framework
A 12-module mastery course for practitioners leading payment security compliance at global scale
$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.
Compliance fatigue from repeating the same requests without clear ownership or framework fluency
The situation this course is for
Teams waste cycles on incomplete evidence rounds, misaligned interpretations, and reactive responses because no one owns deep command of PCI DSS as a living system. That leads to rework, delays, and quiet frustration in audit cycles.
Who this is for
Mid-level ICs in compliance, risk, or security at financial tech or payment processors who own PCI DSS execution and need to lead confidently across teams
Who this is not for
External auditors, consultants without implementation responsibility, or leaders looking for high-level summaries without technical depth
What you walk away with
- Navigate all 12 PCI DSS requirements with precise control-to-infrastructure mapping
- Anticipate assessor questions and prepare evidence proactively
- Lead scoping discussions with authority and confidence
- Reduce audit back-and-forth by delivering complete, accurate responses first time
- Build reusable control implementation patterns across systems
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Core structure of the PCI DSS framework
Break down the anatomy of PCI DSS v4.0, including requirement groupings, intent statements, and testing procedures. Understand how control objectives translate into actionable policies.
12 chapters in this module
- Framework overview and evolution
- Control categories and domains
- Intent vs testing procedures
- Version 3.2.1 to 4.0 changes
- Scoping fundamentals
- Segregation of environments
- Compliance timelines and cycles
- Role of the assessor
- Evidence types and formats
- Common interpretation pitfalls
- Control depth vs breadth
- Mapping to internal policies
Module 2. Building the compliant network architecture
Design network segments that satisfy Requirement 1, including firewall rule rationale, default-deny practices, and documentation standards that pass assessor scrutiny.
12 chapters in this module
- Firewall baseline definitions
- Default deny configuration
- Rule documentation standards
- Change approval workflows
- Network diagram requirements
- Trusted vs untrusted zones
- Router and switch hardening
- Remote access controls
- Wireless segmentation
- Virtual network alignment
- Cloud infrastructure mapping
- Hybrid environment rules
Module 3. Secure account management practices
Implement Requirement 2 and 8 with precision, covering default password changes, role-based access, and multi-factor authentication deployment across systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Default credential changes
- Role-based access design
- Password policy enforcement
- MFA across admin roles
- Session timeout settings
- Access revocation procedures
- Service account controls
- Shared account restrictions
- Access request workflows
- Privileged access logging
- Emergency access controls
- Review frequency standards
Module 4. Protecting cardholder data at rest
Apply Requirement 3 with exacting standards for data discovery, storage validation, and cryptographic protection using approved algorithms and key management.
12 chapters in this module
- Data flow mapping
- CHD storage identification
- Encryption algorithm standards
- Key management practices
- Tokenization use cases
- Data retention policies
- Masking in logs
- Database protection layers
- File system encryption
- Snapshot security
- Backup data handling
- Legacy system exceptions
Module 5. Cryptography and key management
Master Requirement 3.5 and 3.6, including key rotation schedules, secure storage, and assessor expectations for cryptographic architecture documentation.
12 chapters in this module
- Key hierarchy design
- HSM deployment standards
- Key rotation frequency
- Secure key storage
- Cryptography inventory
- Encryption mapping
- Key generation standards
- Compromise response plan
- Backup key protection
- Decommissioning procedures
- Audit log requirements
- Assessor evidence expectations
Module 6. Scanning and vulnerability management
Execute Requirement 6.1 and 11.2 with internal and external scans, patch cadence tracking, and assessor-ready reporting formats.
12 chapters in this module
- Quarterly scan scheduling
- Internal scan coverage
- External scan validation
- Vulnerability prioritization
- Patch deployment timelines
- Critical severity response
- Scan tool configuration
- False positive handling
- Remediation evidence
- Rescan procedures
- Third-party scan validation
- Cloud-native scanning
Module 7. Access control and least privilege
Implement Requirement 7 and 8 with clear role definitions, access review cycles, and logging that satisfies assessor scrutiny.
12 chapters in this module
- User role definitions
- Access provisioning workflows
- Least privilege enforcement
- Role review frequency
- Segregation of duties
- Admin access logging
- Access revocation timing
- Temporary access controls
- Emergency access logging
- User access reviews
- Shared access policies
- Access request documentation
Module 8. Audit logging and monitoring
Design logging systems that meet Requirement 10, including log retention, review frequency, and integration with SIEM tools for real-time alerts.
12 chapters in this module
- Log event requirements
- Critical system coverage
- Centralized logging
- Log retention duration
- Log review frequency
- Time synchronization
- Log integrity protection
- Failed login tracking
- Admin activity logging
- Log storage security
- SIEM integration
- Incident alerting
Module 9. Testing and validation cycles
Lead Requirement 11 and 12.6 with internal audits, penetration tests, and readiness reviews that mirror assessor methods.
12 chapters in this module
- Internal audit design
- Penetration test scope
- Red team vs blue team
- SOC 2 alignment points
- Compliance checklist use
- Gap remediation tracking
- Policy review cycles
- Training documentation
- Incident response testing
- Change management review
- Evidence collection
- Assessor prep timeline
Module 10. Policy documentation and governance
Write Requirement 12 policies that are actionable, version-controlled, and linked to implementation evidence across teams.
12 chapters in this module
- Information security policy
- Acceptable use policy
- Incident response plan
- Data retention policy
- Vendor management policy
- Change management policy
- Access review policy
- Patch management policy
- Encryption standards
- Logging standards
- Policy review cycles
- Policy distribution proof
Module 11. Vendor and third-party oversight
Apply Requirement 12.8 with due diligence checklists, contract language, and ongoing monitoring for service providers handling CHD.
12 chapters in this module
- Third-party risk assessment
- Due diligence steps
- Contractual obligations
- Compliance validation
- Subservice provider tracking
- Attestation collection
- Monitoring frequency
- Risk tiering model
- Incident reporting clauses
- Exit planning
- Audit rights negotiation
- Continuous monitoring tools
Module 12. Preparing for the assessor review
Compile evidence, lead walkthroughs, and respond to findings with confidence using proven response formats and escalation paths.
12 chapters in this module
- Evidence collection checklist
- Response formatting
- Finding classification
- Compensating controls
- Remediation timelines
- Walkthrough preparation
- Assessor Q&A prep
- Evidence retention
- Final review cycle
- Sign-off procedures
- Post-assessment reporting
- Continuous improvement
How this maps to your situation
- After a control gap is identified
- Before the annual audit cycle begins
- When onboarding a new payment processing system
- During a major infrastructure migration
Before vs. after
Before
Compliance work feels reactive, with repeated evidence requests and uncertainty about control sufficiency.
After
You lead with clarity, confidently mapping controls to systems and delivering complete responses on the first pass.
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 2 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside active compliance cycles.
If nothing changes
Without deeper command of the framework, teams remain reactive in audits, waste cycles on avoidable findings, and miss opportunities to lead with authority in cross-functional security discussions.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews, this course focuses on operational mastery, how controls are truly implemented, documented, and defended in enterprise environments.
Frequently asked
Who is this course designed for?
Compliance, risk, and security practitioners who own or lead PCI DSS execution and want to master the framework in depth.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does this cover PCI DSS v4.0?
Yes, with full coverage of v4.0 requirements, testing procedures, and migration guidance from v3.2.1.
$199 one-time. Approximately 2 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside active compliance 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