Skip to main content
Image coming soon

Sources and specific examples on hand when peers push back

$199.00
Adding to cart… The item has been added

A tailored course, built for your situation

Sources and specific examples on hand when peers push back

A 12-module mastery path anchored in PCI DSS for compliance leaders who lead with depth

$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

Compliance and risk practitioners in financial services who operate within formal control frameworks and are expected to defend design choices under cross-functional scrutiny

Who this is not for

Those seeking introductory overviews or broad compliance surveys. This is not for individuals new to PCI DSS or those outside regulated financial environments.

What you walk away with

  • Articulate PCI DSS control intent with sourced references from the standard and official guidance
  • Map real-world implementation decisions to specific requirement numbers and testing procedures
  • Respond to peer challenges with documented examples from audit reports, service providers, and enforcement actions
  • Navigate scoping debates using precedents from similar financial institutions and QSA findings
  • Build auditable rationale trails that survive team changes and leadership transitions

The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)

Module 1. Understanding PCI DSS scope definition
Learn how financial institutions define cardholder data environments with precision, using real examples from audit reports and QSAs.
12 chapters in this module
  1. What defines a CDE
  2. Identifying primary account numbers
  3. Storage presence triggers
  4. Network segmentation rationale
  5. Service provider boundaries
  6. Data flow mapping
  7. Tokenization impact
  8. Scope reduction strategies
  9. Common over-scoping errors
  10. Documentation standards
  11. QSA review expectations
  12. Internal audit alignment
Module 2. Control 1 firewall configuration
Examine firewall rule sets from actual financial environments and trace them back to PCI DSS requirement 1.2.1 and 1.3.1.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Rule justification format
  2. Default-deny principle
  3. Service-specific allowances
  4. Change management logs
  5. Router ACL examples
  6. Cloud firewall tagging
  7. DMZ placement logic
  8. IP range documentation
  9. Third-party access rules
  10. Quarterly review process
  11. Exception tracking
  12. Automated compliance checks
Module 3. Secure account management under Control 2
Study password policies and authentication design from regulated firms that passed PCI audits without exceptions.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Multi-factor adoption timeline
  2. Static value prohibition
  3. Vendor default changes
  4. Password complexity rules
  5. Session timeout settings
  6. Role-based access examples
  7. Shared account handling
  8. Credential rotation logs
  9. Encryption of stored passwords
  10. Policy exception process
  11. User provisioning workflow
  12. Audit trail capture
Module 4. Protecting stored cardholder data
Review encryption methods, tokenization architectures, and data retention policies validated by QSAs in financial firms.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Data classification schema
  2. Encryption algorithm choices
  3. Key management practices
  4. Tokenization design
  5. Masking implementation
  6. Database field labeling
  7. Retention period rules
  8. PAN truncation standards
  9. Backups encryption
  10. Development environment handling
  11. Data lifecycle policy
  12. QSA verification steps
Module 5. Encryption of transmitted data
Analyze TLS configurations and transport-layer protections used in Schwab-like environments to meet Requirement 4.
12 chapters in this module
  1. TLS version enforcement
  2. Certificate lifecycle
  3. Cipher suite selection
  4. End-to-end encryption
  5. Wireless protection
  6. Mobile application safeguards
  7. API call encryption
  8. Man-in-the-middle prevention
  9. Session protection
  10. Key exchange protocols
  11. PCI-approved scanning vendors
  12. Remediation of downgrade attacks
Module 6. Anti-virus implementation across systems
Examine endpoint protection programs in financial institutions that satisfy PCI DSS Requirement 5 without relying on point-in-time scans.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Malware definition updates
  2. Automated signature deployment
  3. Heuristic detection use
  4. Zero-day response plan
  5. Quarantine procedures
  6. Logging and alerting
  7. File integrity monitoring
  8. Exception justification
  9. Non-Windows system coverage
  10. Virtual desktop considerations
  11. Mobile device inclusion
  12. Audit evidence collection
Module 7. Building secure systems and networks
Trace secure development lifecycle practices from requirement to deployment in PCI-aligned environments.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Secure coding standards
  2. Code review process
  3. Penetration testing frequency
  4. Vulnerability scanning
  5. Change approval workflow
  6. Segregation of duties
  7. Production access controls
  8. Backdoor prevention
  9. Cryptographic key handling
  10. Third-party component review
  11. Incident response integration
  12. Compliance validation
Module 8. Access control logic and design
Explore role-based access models and authentication workflows from financial services firms that passed full-scope assessments.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Least privilege implementation
  2. User role definitions
  3. Access approval workflow
  4. Reauthentication frequency
  5. Session lock requirements
  6. Failed login handling
  7. Physical access integration
  8. Remote access controls
  9. Privileged account monitoring
  10. Access revocation process
  11. Role review cycle
  12. Segregation of duties checks
Module 9. Monitoring and logging activity
Study log retention, review processes, and alerting systems that meet PCI DSS Requirement 10 in complex financial environments.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Log source inventory
  2. Timestamp synchronization
  3. Event type classification
  4. Log retention duration
  5. Immutable storage
  6. Automated log review
  7. Anomaly detection
  8. Incident correlation
  9. User activity tracking
  10. Audit trail completeness
  11. Log storage security
  12. Retention policy enforcement
Module 10. Regular testing of security systems
Review internal scanning and penetration testing programs that align with Requirement 11 and support auditor confidence.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Internal vulnerability scans
  2. External scan scheduling
  3. Penetration test scope
  4. ASV validation
  5. Remediation timelines
  6. False positive handling
  7. Network segmentation testing
  8. Wireless network checks
  9. Physical access testing
  10. Social engineering scope
  11. Report formatting standards
  12. QSA submission process
Module 11. Information security policy development
Analyze comprehensive policy documents from regulated institutions that satisfy Requirement 12 and support consistent enforcement.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Policy ownership definition
  2. Risk assessment integration
  3. Compliance monitoring
  4. Annual review cycle
  5. Employee acknowledgment
  6. Third-party obligations
  7. Incident response alignment
  8. Business continuity linkage
  9. Enforcement procedures
  10. Change management inclusion
  11. Policy exception handling
  12. Training requirements
Module 12. Defensibility through documentation
Construct rationale trails that justify design choices using source references, audit history, and real-world precedents.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Rationale logging format
  2. Source citation style
  3. Precedent library building
  4. Audit feedback incorporation
  5. Cross-functional alignment
  6. Version control
  7. Leadership approval
  8. External review readiness
  9. Knowledge transfer
  10. Template reuse
  11. Continuous improvement
  12. Lessons learned integration

How this maps to your situation

  • During annual PCI assessment preparation
  • When responding to auditor findings
  • Before major system changes
  • When onboarding new team members

Before vs. after

Before
Relying on memory and informal justification when defending control decisions
After
Walking into any discussion with sourced references, documented precedents, and clear rationale for every PCI DSS design choice

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 module, designed for completion over 12 weeks with paced application.

If nothing changes
Continuing to depend on ad hoc reasoning leaves compliance decisions vulnerable to challenge and slows cross-functional alignment.

How this compares to the alternatives

Unlike generic PCI DSS overviews, this course focuses on real-world examples, source-backed reasoning, and defensible documentation practices used in financial services environments.

Frequently asked

Is this course suitable for someone already familiar with PCI DSS?
Yes. This is not an introduction. It's designed for practitioners who know the standard and want to strengthen their ability to defend implementation choices.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Are the examples based on real financial institutions?
Yes. All examples come from validated assessments, audit reports, or documented practices in regulated financial firms.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed for completion over 12 weeks with paced application..

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
!