A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering PCI DSS for Automation Engineers in Financial Services
Build compliant automation systems with precision and confidence
$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
Mid-level automation and systems engineers in regulated financial institutions who own or contribute to workflows that process, store, or transmit cardholder data and must align with PCI DSS requirements.
Who this is not for
Compliance auditors, policy writers, or executives seeking high-level overviews. This is not for those outside technical implementation roles.
What you walk away with
- Define and assert ownership of PCI DSS scope for automated systems
- Produce auditable control documentation that survives regulator scrutiny
- Anticipate and resolve control gaps in CI/CD pipelines before deployment
- Lead cross-functional alignment with InfoSec and Compliance teams
- Deliver automation artefacts that reduce rework during audit cycles
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding PCI DSS Scope in Automation Contexts
Establish foundational clarity on which automated systems fall under PCI DSS and why. Learn to map data flows, identify cardholder environment boundaries, and distinguish between in-scope and out-of-scope automation components.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining cardholder data environment boundaries for automation
- Identifying in-scope systems in hybrid cloud infrastructures
- Data flow mapping for automated transaction processing
- Distinguishing storage from transient data handling
- Recognizing encrypted vs tokenized data touchpoints
- Logging requirements for compliance-relevant automation
- How segmentation applies to containerized workloads
- Scope exclusion criteria for non-retention systems
- Documenting scoping decisions for audit validation
- Integrating discovery tools into automation pipelines
- Working with network teams to validate segmentation
- Version-controlling scope definitions over time
Module 2. Control Mapping for Automated Workflows
Map core PCI DSS controls to specific stages in automated workflows, ensuring traceability from requirement to implementation. Focus on access, logging, change management, and data handling.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping PCI DSS requirement 8 to identity in automation
- Enforcing multi-factor authentication for privileged jobs
- Role-based access design for orchestration platforms
- Time-bound access tokens for CI/CD workers
- Logging privileged actions in automated deployments
- Detecting and alerting on unauthorized job execution
- Change management for pipeline configuration files
- Version control integration with audit trails
- Automated approval workflows for critical changes
- Validating access revocation upon role change
- Session monitoring for long-running automation agents
- Integrating control checks into deployment gates
Module 3. Secure Development Practices in CI/CD
Integrate security-by-design into build pipelines, ensuring compliance is baked in from code commit through to production deployment.
12 chapters in this module
- Embedding static code analysis for PCI-relevant flaws
- Scanning for hardcoded secrets in pull requests
- Managing cryptographic keys in automation pipelines
- Using secure configuration templates for staging
- Validating environment isolation at runtime
- Integrating dynamic analysis into deployment gates
- Preventing insecure fallbacks in deployment logic
- Automated compliance checks in pre-merge hooks
- Enforcing code signing for production binaries
- Tracking library dependencies for vulnerabilities
- Patch compliance for base images and workers
- Building immutable deployment artefacts
Module 4. Logging, Monitoring, and Alerting
Design logging and monitoring strategies that satisfy audit requirements while enabling operational clarity and swift incident response.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining required log fields under PCI DSS 10
- Centralizing logs from automation platforms
- Log retention policies for compliance alignment
- Detecting anomalous pipeline execution patterns
- Alerting on failed authentication attempts
- Monitoring for unauthorized access to secrets
- Time synchronization across distributed agents
- Protecting logs from tampering and deletion
- Correlating events across automation and infrastructure
- Querying logs for auditor-requested timeframes
- Automating log review for recurring checks
- Documenting monitoring coverage for assessments
Module 5. Change and Configuration Management
Establish robust change control processes tailored to automated systems, ensuring traceability and stability without slowing delivery.
12 chapters in this module
- Versioning automation configurations in Git
- Branching strategies for compliance-aligned releases
- Peer review requirements for control changes
- Automated testing of configuration before merge
- Approval workflows for production promotions
- Rollback strategies for failed changes
- Audit trail generation for configuration updates
- Integrating Jenkins with change management tools
- Documenting emergency change procedures
- Tracking configuration drift in automated systems
- Scheduling changes around audit cycles
- Reconciling drift during control assessments
Module 6. Vulnerability and Patch Management
Implement continuous vulnerability management within automation environments to satisfy PCI DSS 6 and 11 requirements.
12 chapters in this module
- Scanning container images for known vulnerabilities
- Automating patch level checks for orchestration tools
- Managing patches for underlying OS in worker nodes
- Validating patch compliance before deployment
- Scheduling off-cycle scans for critical findings
- Prioritizing remediation based on PCI severity tiers
- Documenting compensating controls for delays
- Integrating vulnerability data into CI/CD gates
- Reporting patch status to compliance stakeholders
- Tracking exceptions with expiration dates
- Validating fix deployment across environments
- Automating vulnerability rechecks post-patch
Module 7. Network Security for Automation Infrastructure
Apply network segmentation, firewall rules, and secure communication practices to protect automation systems that handle compliance-sensitive data.
12 chapters in this module
- Segmenting automation control planes from data paths
- Applying firewall rules to worker node communication
- Securing API endpoints for orchestration platforms
- Encrypting traffic between pipeline components
- Validating TLS configurations for automation services
- Managing certificates for internal automation endpoints
- Restricting outbound connections from CI/CD workers
- Implementing zero-trust policies for job runners
- Monitoring for unauthorized network connections
- Documenting network architecture for assessors
- Integrating network scans into pipeline gates
- Updating configurations after network changes
Module 8. Access Control and Identity Management
Ensure that identity and access practices for automation systems meet PCI DSS requirements for accountability and least privilege.
12 chapters in this module
- Designing role-based access for automation tools
- Implementing just-in-time access for engineers
- Using service accounts with limited scope
- Rotating credentials for long-running jobs
- Auditing access changes monthly as required
- Integrating with central identity providers
- Enforcing MFA for administrative access
- Separating duties for change and approval roles
- Managing shared accounts securely
- Tracking access by individual engineers
- Revoking access upon role change or departure
- Automating access reviews for compliance
Module 9. Documentation and Audit Readiness
Generate clear, consistent documentation that satisfies assessors and reduces the burden of audit cycles.
12 chapters in this module
- Writing system narratives for compliance teams
- Creating data flow diagrams for auditors
- Documenting control implementation evidence
- Maintaining up-to-date network diagrams
- Preparing system inventory spreadsheets
- Writing standard operating procedures
- Versioning documents alongside code
- Linking evidence to PCI DSS requirements
- Organizing documentation for review cycles
- Responding to auditor follow-up questions
- Automating evidence collection scripts
- Producing compliance-ready packages
Module 10. Integrating with Compliance Teams
Collaborate effectively with InfoSec and Compliance stakeholders to align automation practices with organizational standards.
12 chapters in this module
- Translating technical work into compliance terms
- Participating in control validation meetings
- Providing timely evidence for auditor requests
- Understanding common auditor questions
- Clarifying automation's role in control design
- Negotiating practical control implementation
- Escalating misaligned requirements early
- Building trust through consistent delivery
- Sharing automation roadmaps with compliance
- Receiving feedback without rework loops
- Educating assessors on CI/CD workflows
- Co-developing control templates
Module 11. Incident Response and Breach Simulation
Prepare automated systems to support incident response and participate in breach scenarios that reflect real-world threats.
12 chapters in this module
- Detecting unauthorized data access in logs
- Simulating credential compromise in pipelines
- Testing automated alerting for suspicious jobs
- Isolating compromised automation workers
- Preserving forensic data during incidents
- Validating logging under stress conditions
- Recovering from poisoned artefacts
- Auditing post-incident changes
- Documenting response actions for assessors
- Running tabletop exercises with automation focus
- Improving detection based on post-mortems
- Updating playbooks with automation steps
Module 12. Continuous Improvement and Control Evolution
Establish feedback loops that ensure automation systems evolve in line with changing compliance requirements and threat landscapes.
12 chapters in this module
- Tracking changes to PCI DSS guidance
- Updating control mappings for new versions
- Automating compliance checks for new services
- Incorporating lessons from audits
- Benchmarking against peer automation teams
- Measuring compliance debt over time
- Prioritizing technical improvements
- Communicating roadmap to stakeholders
- Aligning upgrades with release cycles
- Documenting control improvements
- Validating changes with test assessments
- Sharing best practices across teams
How this maps to your situation
- When scoping the next audit cycle
- Before deploying a new CI/CD pipeline
- During integration with compliance platforms
- After receiving auditor follow-up questions
Before vs. after
Before
Spending cycles explaining automation design to assessors, reacting to scope disputes, and reworking controls late in audit cycles.
After
Proactively defining and owning compliance scope for automation, producing evidence on demand, and leading updates without escalation.
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 90 minutes per module, designed to be completed over 12 weekends or intensively in 3 weeks.
If nothing changes
Without structured alignment, automation efforts risk being labeled out-of-scope or non-compliant, leading to rework, auditor findings, or operational constraints imposed by others.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS training, this course focuses specifically on automation engineers in financial services, bridging technical implementation with compliance expectations. It goes beyond awareness to provide actionable control designs, documentation templates, and stakeholder alignment strategies tailored to real-world delivery.
Frequently asked
Is this course relevant if I don’t handle cardholder data directly?
Yes. If your automation systems interact with environments that do, you’re in scope. This course helps you determine where compliance boundaries apply and how to document your role.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will I receive a certification upon completion?
No. This course is focused on practical implementation, not exam preparation. You’ll receive a completion badge and access to all templates and the implementation playbook.
$199 one-time. Approximately 90 minutes per module, designed to be completed over 12 weekends or intensively in 3 weeks..
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