Requirement Guide

PCI requirement 12: Support Security with Policies Introduction PCI DSS Requirement 12 serves as the foundational pillar that transforms technical security controls into a comprehensive, organization-wide security program. While the previous eleven requirements focus on specific technical and operational controls, Requirement 12 establishes the governance framework that ensures these controls are properly maintained, monitored, and … Read more

PCI requirement 10: Log and Monitor Access – Complete Compliance Guide Introduction PCI Requirement 10 forms the foundation of your organization’s security monitoring and incident response capabilities. This requirement mandates comprehensive logging and monitoring of all access to network resources and cardholder data, creating an essential audit trail that enables detection of suspicious activities and … Read more

PCI Requirement 5: Protect Against Malicious Software Introduction PCI DSS Requirement 5 focuses on one of the most fundamental aspects of cybersecurity: protecting systems from malicious software that could compromise cardholder data. This requirement mandates that organizations implement and maintain comprehensive anti-virus and anti-malware solutions across all systems commonly affected by malware. Malicious software represents … Read more

PCI Requirement 7: Restrict Access to Cardholder Data Introduction PCI DSS Requirement 7 establishes a fundamental principle of information security: limiting access to cardholder data based on business need-to-know. This requirement ensures that only authorized personnel who require access to cardholder data (CHD) to perform their job functions can actually access that sensitive information. This … Read more

PCI requirement 11: Test Security Regularly Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, implementing security controls is only half the battle. The other half involves continuously testing these controls to ensure they remain effective against new vulnerabilities and attack vectors. This is precisely what PCI DSS Requirement 11 addresses: the critical need to test … Read more

PCI Requirement 8: Identify Users and Authenticate Access Introduction PCI Requirement 8 stands as one of the most fundamental security controls within the PCI DSS framework, focusing on the critical task of identifying users and authenticating access to cardholder data environments. This requirement ensures that every person accessing systems containing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data … Read more

PCI Requirement 6: Develop and Maintain Secure Systems Introduction PCI Requirement 6 represents one of the most technically complex and operationally critical components of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This requirement mandates that organizations develop and maintain secure systems and applications throughout their entire cardholder data environment (CDE). What This Requirement … Read more

PCI Requirement 2: Apply Secure Configurations Introduction PCI Requirement 2 represents one of the foundational security controls in the PCI DSS framework, focusing on the critical need to establish and maintain secure configurations across all systems that handle, store, or transmit cardholder data. This requirement recognizes that default configurations provided by vendors are often designed … Read more

PCI Requirement 4: Protect Cardholder Data in Transit Introduction PCI DSS Requirement 4 represents a critical pillar in the protection of cardholder data by focusing on securing information as it travels across networks. This requirement mandates that organizations encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks, ensuring that sensitive payment information remains protected even … Read more

PCI Requirement 3: Protect Stored Account Data Introduction PCI DSS Requirement 3 represents one of the most critical security mandates within the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard framework. This requirement specifically addresses the protection of stored cardholder data through comprehensive encryption, secure key management, and strict access controls. For any organization that stores primary … Read more