A tailored course, built for your situation
Become the go to expert for PCI DSS within your firm
Position yourself as the internal benchmark for payment security compliance
$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 overlooked despite deep involvement in compliance work
The situation this course is for
High-performing associates often stay in the background, even when they understand the controls better than anyone else. The expertise is there, but it’s not being recognized in high-visibility moments.
Who this is for
Senior Associate in compliance, risk, or audit track at a financial services firm, actively involved in control execution or audit support, with visibility into payment data handling but not formally seen as the 'owner' of PCI DSS.
Who this is not for
Entry-level staff learning controls for the first time, external auditors, or executives delegating compliance entirely. This is for individual contributors ready to step into visible ownership.
What you walk away with
- Be named first when internal teams seek PCI DSS guidance
- Own the evidence package before audit season begins
- Reference real control mappings and common failure points cold
- Lead internal prep sessions without escalation
- Build a durable reputation as the firm’s PCI DSS reference
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Understanding PCI DSS scope definition
Learn how to accurately define the cardholder data environment and avoid common over-scoping mistakes.
12 chapters in this module
- What systems fall in scope
- Network segmentation basics
- Tokenization impact on scope
- Third party responsibility mapping
- Downstream processor boundaries
- Cloud hosting considerations
- Application layer exposure
- Virtualization edge cases
- Legacy system inclusions
- Scope reduction techniques
- Documentation standards
- Stakeholder sign off process
Module 2. Building a compliant firewall configuration
Master firewall rule sets that meet Requirement 1 and withstand auditor scrutiny.
12 chapters in this module
- Default deny policy setup
- Rule naming conventions
- Port and protocol justification
- Change management integration
- Monthly review automation
- Rule age thresholds
- Documentation templates
- Remote access controls
- Management interface protection
- Stateful inspection settings
- Logging requirements
- Exception tracking system
Module 3. Secure authentication for cardholder systems
Implement strong access control measures in line with Requirement 8.
12 chapters in this module
- Multi factor authentication rollout
- Password complexity rules
- Account lockout thresholds
- User provisioning workflow
- Administrator access tracking
- Session timeout settings
- Biometric use cases
- Certificate based login
- Centralized identity source
- Role based access design
- Access review cadence
- Service account handling
Module 4. Maintaining secure systems and networks
Apply Requirement 2 controls for system hardening and configuration standards.
12 chapters in this module
- Default password changes
- Vendor provided account removal
- OS baseline configuration
- System configuration standards
- Secure services activation
- Unnecessary services disabled
- Remote admin access control
- Automated compliance checking
- Image standardization
- Virtual machine templates
- Container security basics
- Patch level verification
Module 5. Implementing vulnerability management
Execute a repeatable process for identifying and remediating vulnerabilities.
12 chapters in this module
- Quarterly scan scheduling
- Scan scope validation
- Critical finding thresholds
- Remediation timeframes
- False positive handling
- Penetration test coordination
- Internal vs external scans
- Tool configuration best practices
- Reporting format standardization
- Evidence collection workflow
- Third party validation
- Exception justification process
Module 6. Executing regular access reviews
Establish a reliable cycle for reviewing user access rights.
12 chapters in this module
- User access list generation
- Segregation of duties checks
- Review frequency standards
- Management attestation process
- Orphaned account discovery
- Termination sync procedures
- Privileged access tracking
- Temporary access controls
- Access certification tools
- Review documentation standards
- Escalation paths
- Audit trail retention
Module 7. Designing secure network architectures
Structure networks to isolate cardholder data and meet segmentation requirements.
12 chapters in this module
- Flat network risks
- VLAN segmentation setup
- Router access controls
- Firewall zone definitions
- DMZ configuration
- Wireless network isolation
- Remote access networks
- Cloud VPC design
- Data flow mapping
- Network diagram standards
- Segmentation testing
- Diagram update cadence
Module 8. Protecting stored cardholder data
Apply strong encryption and data retention controls.
12 chapters in this module
- Data discovery techniques
- Encryption key management
- Tokenization system design
- Data retention policies
- PAN truncation rules
- Database encryption methods
- File system protection
- Backup media security
- Archival process controls
- Data disposal verification
- Encryption algorithm selection
- Key rotation schedule
Module 9. Securing transmission of cardholder data
Ensure encryption is properly applied in transit.
12 chapters in this module
- SSL TLS version requirements
- Certificate management
- End to end encryption design
- Wi-Fi security standards
- Public network risks
- API transmission controls
- Mobile device transmission
- Email encryption use cases
- Secure file transfer methods
- Man in the middle prevention
- Encryption validation testing
- Certificate expiry tracking
Module 10. Implementing logging and monitoring
Set up audit trails that meet Requirement 10 and support investigations.
12 chapters in this module
- Log source identification
- Clock synchronization
- Event types to capture
- Log retention duration
- Centralized logging setup
- Log review process
- Anomaly detection rules
- Incident response integration
- Log access controls
- Timestamp accuracy
- Log integrity protection
- Retention verification
Module 11. Conducting regular security testing
Lead the internal cycle of technical assessments and validation.
12 chapters in this module
- Internal penetration test planning
- External test coordination
- Scope definition process
- Remediation tracking
- Report review checklist
- Follow up testing
- Tool selection criteria
- Test result documentation
- Finding severity classification
- Executive summary writing
- Third party oversight
- Testing frequency compliance
Module 12. Maintaining an information security policy
Develop and maintain a formal, organization wide policy.
12 chapters in this module
- Policy structure design
- Executive approval process
- Content requirements
- Distribution method
- Review cycle
- Acceptable use clauses
- Enforcement procedures
- Policy exception handling
- Training integration
- Version control
- Policy alignment with standards
- Audit preparation
How this maps to your situation
- When scoping a new audit
- Facing a control failure finding
- Leading a cross team remediation
- Answering auditor follow ups
Before vs. after
Before
Contributing to PCI DSS efforts without being seen as the owner.
After
Being the named expert others consult when payment security questions arise.
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 2.5 hours per week over 6 weeks to complete all modules and apply templates.
If nothing changes
Remaining in execution mode while others gain visibility for the same work, limiting career momentum in compliance leadership.
How this compares to the alternatives
Generic compliance courses cover multiple frameworks superficially. This course focuses exclusively on PCI DSS with field tested templates and real audit evidence examples, making it the fastest path to recognized expertise in payment data protection.
Frequently asked
Who is this course designed for?
Senior Associates and early stage specialists in risk, compliance, or audit roles who want to become the go to person for PCI DSS in their organization.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me pass an actual PCI DSS audit?
Yes, the course teaches control implementation and evidence documentation aligned with auditor expectations.
$199 one-time. Approximately 2.5 hours per week over 6 weeks to complete all modules and apply templates..
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