A tailored course, built for your situation
PCI DSS Mastery for Project Managers in UK Government-Adjacent Technology Delivery
Deliver compliant payment systems faster with repeatable, auditor-aligned workflows
$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.
Spending too much time coordinating compliance evidence across teams?
The situation this course is for
Project managers in high-assurance environments often face last-minute scrambles to align technical delivery with PCI DSS requirements, leading to delayed go-lives and strained stakeholder relationships.
Who this is for
Project Manager in a UK-based systems integrator or government contractor, managing technology delivery with PCI DSS compliance implications
Who this is not for
This is not for auditors, security engineers, or compliance analysts whose primary role is control assessment. It's for project leads who must deliver compliant systems on time and with confidence.
What you walk away with
- Produce a complete PCI DSS scoping document in under two days
- Map project tasks directly to control requirements without rework
- Generate audit-ready evidence packages on schedule
- Anticipate and resolve compliance blockers before they delay delivery
- Lead cross-functional teams with confidence in control alignment
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Foundations of PCI DSS in Project Delivery
Understand how PCI DSS applies to project timelines, handoffs, and deliverables. Learn to distinguish between in-scope systems and supporting components.
12 chapters in this module
- What PCI DSS regulates and why it matters for delivery
- Distinguishing CDE from supporting infrastructure
- Common misconceptions in scoping
- Integrating DSS requirements into project charters
- Key roles: QSA, ASV, internal assessor
- Project manager’s role in compliance lifecycle
- Timing the first control review
- How auditors assess project evidence
- Common findings in failed project audits
- Avoiding scope creep in compliance
- Using the PCI SSC documentation portal
- Building a project-specific compliance calendar
Module 2. Scoping the Cardholder Data Environment
Define the boundaries of the CDE accurately and document exclusions with confidence. Reduce audit friction with clear evidence trails.
12 chapters in this module
- What constitutes a cardholder data environment
- Identifying in-scope systems and components
- Network segmentation essentials for project leads
- Documenting data flows visually
- Using data flow diagrams in scoping
- Capturing system interdependencies
- Common pitfalls in boundary definition
- Validating scope with technical teams
- Handling third-party service providers
- Writing defensible exclusion statements
- Maintaining scope documentation
- When to escalate scope questions
Module 3. Control Mapping for Delivery Teams
Translate high-level controls into specific tasks for developers, network engineers, and system admins.
12 chapters in this module
- Breaking down Requirement 1: Firewalls
- Mapping Requirement 2 to configuration baselines
- Password policies across platforms
- Requirement 4: Cardholder data handling
- Encryption in transit and at rest
- Requirement 5: Antivirus deployment
- Requirement 6: Secure development lifecycle
- Integrating control checks into sprints
- Using templates for control evidence
- Tracking control implementation status
- Coordination with security teams
- Common control gaps in delivery
Module 4. Evidence Collection Planning
Design your evidence collection process upfront to avoid last-minute scrambles and auditor escalations.
12 chapters in this module
- Types of acceptable evidence
- Interviews with system owners
- System configuration reviews
- Log retention requirements
- Policy documentation essentials
- Network diagrams and updates
- Vulnerability scan reports
- Penetration test documentation
- Change management records
- Incident response testing proof
- Building an evidence tracker
- Scheduling evidence collection
Module 5. Integrating Compliance into Project Timelines
Embed compliance milestones into project plans without slowing delivery.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying PCI DSS critical path items
- Setting internal audit checkpoints
- Aligning with vendor delivery timelines
- Managing compliance alongside sprints
- Milestone-based sign-off process
- Using Gantt charts with compliance gates
- Buffering for auditor feedback
- Handling scope changes mid-project
- Managing external dependencies
- Accelerating evidence review cycles
- Reporting compliance status to leadership
- Closing compliance tasks efficiently
Module 6. Working with QSAs and Auditors
Communicate effectively with assessors and turn audit engagements into smoother processes.
12 chapters in this module
- What a QSA expects from project leads
- Preparing for the on-site visit
- Common auditor questions
- Providing walkthroughs efficiently
- Responding to findings calmly
- Clarifying evidence requests
- Avoiding defensive communication
- Using auditor feedback for improvement
- Managing time during assessment
- Documenting responses to findings
- Following up post-audit
- Building long-term assessor relationships
Module 7. Managing Third-Party Compliance
Ensure vendors and partners meet PCI DSS requirements without overextending your team.
12 chapters in this module
- Assessing vendor compliance status
- Using Attestation of Compliance documents
- Reviewing third-party audit reports
- Managing shared responsibility models
- Contractual obligations for compliance
- Monitoring ongoing vendor compliance
- Handling non-compliant vendors
- Escalation paths for violations
- Documenting due diligence
- Using API integrations securely
- Managing cloud provider compliance
- Vendor risk assessment templates
Module 8. Secure Development Lifecycle Integration
Align software delivery with PCI DSS without disrupting development velocity.
12 chapters in this module
- Requirement 6.1: Code review process
- Integrating security into CI/CD pipelines
- Static and dynamic analysis tools
- Threat modeling sessions
- Secure coding standards
- Managing secrets in code
- Authentication mechanisms
- Session management requirements
- Error handling and logging
- Patch management timelines
- Using developer checklists
- Training dev teams on PCI basics
Module 9. Network Security and Segmentation
Ensure network design meets PCI DSS requirements while supporting delivery goals.
12 chapters in this module
- Firewall rule documentation
- Default-deny principles
- Router configuration reviews
- Network segmentation strategies
- DMZ architecture essentials
- Wireless network controls
- Remote access security
- Logging and monitoring network changes
- VLAN management
- Maintaining network diagrams
- Handling cloud network configurations
- Validating segmentation effectiveness
Module 10. Data Protection and Encryption
Protect cardholder data across systems and prevent compliance failures due to data exposure.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying stored cardholder data
- Primary account number masking
- Encryption key management basics
- Tokenisation vs encryption
- End-to-end encryption paths
- Data retention policies
- Handling test data securely
- Database security controls
- Logging access to sensitive data
- Encrypting data in backups
- Securing APIs handling card data
- Documenting encryption architecture
Module 11. Incident Response and Reporting
Be ready to respond to security events without derailing project timelines.
12 chapters in this module
- Incident response plan essentials
- Defining reportable events
- Internal escalation pathways
- Coordinating with legal and PR
- Documenting incident timelines
- Forensic readiness
- Preserving logs and evidence
- When to notify the QSA
- Handling payment brand notifications
- Post-incident review process
- Updating controls after incidents
- Testing response plans annually
Module 12. Final Preparation and Audit Handover
Deliver a complete, confident package to the assessor and close the project successfully.
12 chapters in this module
- Final evidence completeness check
- Internal pre-audit review
- Assigning evidence owners
- Compiling the Report on Compliance
- Reviewing the AoC with leadership
- Submitting documentation to QSA
- Preparing for the closing meeting
- Addressing final auditor queries
- Obtaining sign-off
- Archiving project compliance records
- Transferring knowledge to operations
- Celebrating compliant delivery
How this maps to your situation
- Project initiation with PCI DSS requirements
- Mid-project compliance checkpoint
- Vendor onboarding and oversight
- Final audit preparation and handover
Before vs. after
Before
Starting each project with ad-hoc compliance planning and reactive evidence collection
After
Launching projects with a clear, repeatable path to PCI DSS compliance and audit readiness
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 6 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside active project work.
If nothing changes
Without a structured approach, projects risk delayed go-lives, unexpected audit findings, and strained stakeholder trust due to last-minute compliance scrambles.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews or auditor-focused training, this course is built specifically for project managers who must deliver compliant systems on time and with minimal rework.
Frequently asked
Who is this course for?
Project Managers in UK-based technology delivery roles, especially those working with government or defence clients requiring PCI DSS compliance.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is this course technical?
It’s practitioner-focused, technical enough to coordinate effectively with engineers, but not designed to replace security specialists.
$199 one-time. Approximately 6 hours per module, designed to be completed alongside active project 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