A tailored course, built for your situation
Deeper command of the PCI DSS control framework
Build unshakeable command of the PCI DSS standard and lead compliance efforts with 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.
Struggling to move beyond surface-level PCI DSS audits?
The situation this course is for
Many practitioners treat PCI DSS as a box-ticking exercise, leading to repeated findings, over-reliance on consultants, and last-minute scrambles before assessments. The lack of deep framework understanding slows decision-making and weakens internal authority.
Who this is for
Mid-level compliance or risk professionals in financial services who own or support PCI DSS efforts but lack systematic mastery of the standard’s architecture and control logic
Who this is not for
This is not for auditors running assessment programs, executives seeking board-level summaries, or engineers focused solely on network segmentation. It’s for practitioners who need to apply the standard day-to-day and own the details.
What you walk away with
- Confidently interpret all 12 PCI DSS requirements and their testing procedures
- Map controls directly to evidence without relying on third-party guidance
- Anticipate auditor questions with documented rationale and real-world examples
- Lead internal remediation plans with precision and authority
- Explain control trade-offs clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Inside the PCI DSS Framework
Understand the structure, scope, and foundational principles of PCI DSS, including how it aligns with broader financial control environments.
12 chapters in this module
- What PCI DSS is designed to protect
- Core assumptions in the framework design
- Scope boundaries and common missteps
- How version 4.0 changes enforcement rigor
- Difference between compliance and security
- Control families and their purposes
- Mapping to supporting policies
- Role of the assessor in validation
- Common interpretations across regions
- Documentation expectations by level
- How point-of-sale systems trigger scope
- Evidence types accepted by QSAs
Module 2. Building the Scope Blueprint
Define and document environment boundaries with precision, reducing risk of scope creep and auditor challenges.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying cardholder data flows
- Tracing data across systems
- Network segmentation fundamentals
- Validating isolation controls
- Documentation of scope rationale
- CDS diagrams that stand up to review
- Common over-scoping errors
- Handling third-party processors
- Tokenization impact on scope
- Virtualisation considerations
- Cloud environment boundaries
- Re-scope triggers after system changes
Module 3. Firewall and Network Protections
Implement and validate robust network controls that satisfy Requirement 1 with minimal overhead.
12 chapters in this module
- Approved firewall configurations
- Rule documentation standards
- Default-deny enforcement proof
- Router configuration baselines
- Change management for firewall rules
- DMZ architecture for payment systems
- Remote access restrictions
- Cloud-native firewall alignment
- Logging expectations for network devices
- Review frequency benchmarks
- Compensating controls for legacy systems
- Configuration templates for consistency
Module 4. Secure Account Management
Apply Requirement 2 effectively by eliminating defaults and enforcing least privilege across systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Default account removal process
- Vendor-supplied password changes
- Account naming conventions
- Administrator access tracking
- Principle of least privilege
- Service account governance
- Password rotation policies
- MFA applicability to admin roles
- Role-based access control design
- Session timeout configurations
- Privileged access review cycles
- Documentation of access decisions
Module 5. Protecting Cardholder Data
Ensure stored data is minimized and encrypted according to Requirement 3 standards.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying stored cardholder data
- Primary account number protection
- Masking requirements for display
- Encryption methods accepted
- Key management fundamentals
- Data retention time limits
- Tokenization as a control
- PAN truncation standards
- Secure disposal of expired data
- Logging access to sensitive data
- Audit trail requirements
- Reporting on data locations
Module 6. Encryption in Transit
Satisfy Requirement 4 with strong cryptography for data moving across open networks.
12 chapters in this module
- Approved encryption protocols
- TLS version requirements
- Certificate management practices
- End-to-end encryption design
- Wireless encryption standards
- Secure remote access methods
- SSH key management
- Cryptography configuration templates
- Protocol deprecation timelines
- Man-in-the-middle protection
- Encryption validation testing
- Documentation of transmission paths
Module 7. Vulnerability Management
Implement automated, risk-prioritized patching and scanning processes under Requirement 5 and 6.
12 chapters in this module
- Anti-virus deployment coverage
- Malware detection expectations
- Patch management timelines
- Vulnerability scanning frequency
- Critical vs high severity handling
- Automated update mechanisms
- Exception tracking process
- Secure configuration baselines
- Software inventory maintenance
- End-of-life system protocols
- Zero-day response planning
- Evidence of remediation
Module 8. Access Control Systems
Design and document robust access control policies and monitoring for Requirement 7 and 8.
12 chapters in this module
- Role-based access definitions
- Two-factor authentication enforcement
- Biometric use cases
- Physical access logging
- User provisioning workflows
- Access revocation procedures
- Session lock requirements
- Password complexity rules
- Account lockout settings
- Authentication logging
- Time-of-day restrictions
- Remote access controls
Module 9. Monitoring and Logging
Meet Requirement 10 with comprehensive, tamper-resistant logging and review practices.
12 chapters in this module
- Event types to log
- Clock synchronisation needs
- Log retention duration
- Centralised logging design
- Log integrity protections
- Review frequency expectations
- Alerting on suspicious activity
- Log access restrictions
- File integrity monitoring
- Change detection configurations
- Correlation across systems
- Audit trail preservation
Module 10. Testing and Validation
Conduct internal scans and penetration tests to satisfy Requirement 11 with confidence.
12 chapters in this module
- ASV scan scheduling
- Internal vulnerability scan frequency
- Penetration testing scope
- Test environment considerations
- Wireless network assessments
- Application-layer testing
- Social engineering elements
- Reporting format standards
- Remediation validation steps
- Compensating control validation
- Engagement with external testers
- Evidence package assembly
Module 11. Policy and Governance
Develop and maintain the formal documentation required under Requirement 12.
12 chapters in this module
- Information security policy drafting
- Annual review process
- Acceptable use policy content
- Incident response planning
- Business continuity integration
- Third-party risk management
- Security awareness training
- Policy dissemination proof
- Risk assessment methodology
- Change approval workflows
- Duty separation requirements
- Documentation retention
Module 12. Mastery in Practice
Apply deep framework knowledge to real-world scenarios and build lasting institutional knowledge.
12 chapters in this module
- Building a PCI DSS playbook
- Training others on core concepts
- Handling auditor questions
- Managing scope changes
- Updating control mappings
- Responding to findings
- Integrating with SOX controls
- Working with cloud providers
- Sustaining compliance over time
- Communicating with leadership
- Scaling knowledge across teams
- Remaining current with updates
How this maps to your situation
- After a failed internal scan
- Preparing for QSA assessment
- Onboarding new payment processors
- Before system integration projects
Before vs. after
Before
Reliant on external consultants, reactive to auditor findings, and spending too much time chasing evidence
After
Confidently leading PCI DSS efforts with internal authority, faster validation cycles, and fewer findings
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 24 hours of focused learning, or two hours per week over twelve weeks.
If nothing changes
Without deep framework understanding, teams remain reactive, dependent on consultants, and vulnerable to scope creep and repeated audit findings that delay strategic initiatives.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews or slide decks, this course provides detailed, actionable knowledge structured around actual control implementation and auditor expectations, not just theory.
Frequently asked
Is this course suitable for someone who isn’t technical?
Yes. While PCI DSS is a technical standard, this course focuses on control intent, mapping, and documentation, skills essential for compliance owners, risk managers, and auditors.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does this cover PCI DSS v4.0?
Yes. The course is updated for PCI DSS v4.0 requirements, including customised approaches and enhanced testing procedures.
$199 one-time. Approximately 24 hours of focused learning, or two hours per week over twelve 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