A tailored course, built for your situation
Premium engagement picks with PCI DSS expertise
Deep-dive mastery in payment compliance to unlock higher-margin, strategic client work
$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
Senior developer or technical consultant working in regulated environments who wants to transition into higher-impact, compliance-adjacent engagements with strategic visibility
Who this is not for
Entry-level developers, auditors focused only on checklist compliance, or professionals outside of technical delivery roles
What you walk away with
- Command of PCI DSS scoping strategies that prevent over-engineering and reduce implementation cost
- Ability to generate audit-ready artifacts directly from code and architecture decisions
- Faster path from compliance requirement to working control implementation
- Increased visibility into high-budget engagements requiring technical compliance leadership
- Stronger positioning to lead rather than support PCI DSS projects
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Mapping application architecture to PCI DSS scope
Learn how to identify in-scope systems accurately and avoid costly over-scoping using real-world transaction flows.
12 chapters in this module
- Transaction path identification
- CDE boundary definition
- Network segmentation validation
- Cloud environment scoping
- Third-party vendor inclusion criteria
- Application dependency mapping
- Data flow diagram standards
- Scope reduction levers
- Internal segmentation firewall checks
- Compensating controls justification
- Scope documentation templates
- Stakeholder alignment on boundaries
Module 2. Building compliant authentication systems
Implement multi-factor authentication and password policies that meet Requirement 8 without sacrificing developer velocity.
12 chapters in this module
- MFA integration patterns
- Password policy enforcement
- Credential storage standards
- Session management controls
- API key lifecycle
- SSO integration with PCI
- Service account hardening
- Remote access logging
- Biometric authentication use cases
- Authentication flow diagrams
- Password rotation automation
- Audit log requirements for logins
Module 3. Secure software development lifecycle integration
Embed PCI DSS requirements into CI/CD pipelines and code reviews to shift compliance left.
12 chapters in this module
- Requirement 6.3 implementation
- Secure coding standards
- Code review checklists
- Penetration testing cadence
- Vulnerability scanning integration
- Threat modeling workflows
- Change management for apps
- Web application firewall rules
- Custom code risk assessment
- Patch management timelines
- DevSecOps toolchain alignment
- Release gate compliance
Module 4. Encryption strategy for cardholder data
Design and validate encryption in transit and at rest that satisfies Requirements 4 and 3, with minimal performance impact.
12 chapters in this module
- CHD encryption standards
- TLS configuration baselines
- Key management best practices
- HSM integration models
- Tokenization architecture
- Data masking use cases
- Encryption key rotation
- Certificate lifecycle tracking
- End-to-end encryption flows
- Point-to-point encryption options
- Decryption access logging
- Cryptographic algorithm compliance
Module 5. Network security controls for segmentation
Implement and document firewall rules and segmentation that satisfy Requirement 1 with audit-ready clarity.
12 chapters in this module
- Firewall rule documentation
- Default-deny policy setup
- Router configuration standards
- Network diagram updates
- Regular rule reviews
- Change logging for configurations
- Remote access protections
- Wireless network exclusions
- Internal firewall monitoring
- IP address management
- Network log retention
- Automated compliance checks
Module 6. Logging and monitoring for forensic readiness
Meet Requirement 10 with centralized logging, alerting, and retention without overwhelming operations.
12 chapters in this module
- Event logging criteria
- Log retention duration
- Centralized log aggregation
- File integrity monitoring
- Time synchronization
- Log access controls
- Alert threshold tuning
- Incident response triggers
- Audit trail completeness
- Log storage protection
- Automated log review
- Forensic investigation prep
Module 7. Vendor risk assessment for third-party services
Evaluate SaaS and cloud providers against PCI DSS Appendix A using repeatable checklists.
12 chapters in this module
- Responsibility matrixing
- Service provider attestation
- Shared responsibility models
- Cloud provider compliance
- Penetration test rights
- Audit access negotiation
- Contractual compliance clauses
- Subservice provider tracking
- Vendor risk scoring
- Due diligence documentation
- Third-party penetration tests
- Escalation path design
Module 8. Conducting internal compliance assessments
Run mini-audits using standardized checklists and evidence collection to prepare for QSA engagement.
12 chapters in this module
- Internal audit planning
- Evidence collection workflow
- Control testing methods
- Gap identification process
- Remediation tracking
- Policy validation techniques
- Interview protocols for teams
- Observation documentation
- Sampling strategies
- Noncompliance reporting
- Pre-assessment walkthroughs
- Pre-QSA readiness review
Module 9. Building the Report on Compliance
Assemble RoC components efficiently and ensure completeness ahead of submission.
12 chapters in this module
- RoC structure overview
- Attestation of Compliance prep
- Entity information entry
- Control status documentation
- Responsibility assignment
- Evidence attachment standards
- QSA coordination points
- Sign-off workflow
- Version control for RoC
- Remediation action plans
- Appendix completion
- Final review checklist
Module 10. Navigating QSA relationships and audits
Work effectively with QSAs by providing precise evidence and clear narratives.
12 chapters in this module
- QSA selection criteria
- Pre-audit briefing
- Evidence submission process
- Interview preparation
- Control discussion tactics
- Defensible documentation
- Scope validation with QSA
- Compensating control justification
- Audit finding response
- Follow-up timelines
- Post-assessment reporting
- Long-term QSA relationship
Module 11. Sustaining compliance over time
Operationalize ongoing compliance with automated checks and continuous monitoring.
12 chapters in this module
- Compliance calendar setup
- Quarterly testing requirements
- Automated control checks
- Policy refresh cycle
- Training reminders
- Change control integration
- Annual review process
- Gap tracking system
- Remediation ownership
- Compliance dashboarding
- Stakeholder reporting rhythm
- Internal audit scheduling
Module 12. Extending PCI expertise into adjacent domains
Leverage PCI DSS mastery to lead SOX, GDPR, and FedRAMP initiatives.
12 chapters in this module
- Control mapping to SOX
- Overlap with GDPR principles
- NIST CSF alignment
- HITRUST assessment entry
- SOC 2 Type II relevance
- ISO 27001 control reuse
- Internal audit program growth
- Risk framework integration
- Enterprise compliance strategy
- Cross-domain playbook reuse
- Leadership positioning
- Future-proofing skills
How this maps to your situation
- After onboarding a new fintech client
- During the design phase of a payments API
- Preparing for internal audit cycle
- Scoping a cloud migration for a PCI environment
Before vs. after
Before
Reactively responding to compliance demands with limited control over project scope or client selection
After
Proactively selecting and leading high-value PCI DSS engagements with technical authority and client trust
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 3 hours per week over 8 weeks to complete all modules and apply frameworks to real work.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews or auditor-focused training, this course is built for developers leading technical compliance delivery , combining code-level control implementation with strategic engagement positioning.
Frequently asked
Is this course suitable for developers without prior compliance experience?
Yes. It starts with foundational control concepts and builds to advanced implementation, making it ideal for technical practitioners moving into compliance-critical roles.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me transition into higher-margin consulting work?
Absolutely. The course is designed to equip you with the artifacts, fluency, and confidence to lead premium engagements where compliance complexity drives client spend.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per week over 8 weeks to complete all modules and apply frameworks to real 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