PCI-DSS Compliance Consulting

If your company takes credit cards or debit cards as forms of payment, your company is required to adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). This is true even if you process only one transaction the entire year! Depending on your business, your reporting and compliance requirements may be different. That is where we come in as PCI-SSC Certified Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs), to help you navigate the intricacies of PCI-DSS and make compliance easy!

Let’s get your business PCI-DSS Compliant - without the headache or high costs.

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What is PCI-DSS?

PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. It is a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. The standards were created by the major credit card companies, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JCB, and are intended to protect the sensitive information of credit cardholders.

The PCI DSS standards apply to any organization, regardless of size, that accepts credit cards as payment. Compliance is mandatory for all organizations that store, process, or transmit cardholder data. The standard consists of 12 requirements, which are grouped into six categories: build and maintain a secure network, protect cardholder data, maintain a vulnerability management program, implement strong access control measures, regularly monitor and test networks, and maintain an information security policy. Failure to comply with PCI DSS standards can result in significant fines and legal liability, as well as damage to a company's reputation.

What are the 12 PCI-DSS Requirements?

Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data

Network boundaries must be established and maintained, with any incoming or outgoing traffic to the cardholder data environment restricted.

Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

Default passwords, security parameters, and other settings must be changed to reduce the risk of compromise.

Protect stored cardholder data

Any stored cardholder data must be protected with strong encryption and security protocols, with access limited to those with a legitimate business need.

Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks

All transmission of cardholder data across public networks must be protected with strong encryption protocols to prevent interception.

Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs

Anti-virus software must be used on all systems that store or process cardholder data, with regular updates and scanning performed.

Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Systems and applications used to store or process cardholder data must be developed and maintained using secure coding practices.

Restrict access to cardholder data on a business need-to-know basis

Access to cardholder data must be restricted to those with a legitimate business need, and authorization must be granted by management.

Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access

Each individual with access to systems containing cardholder data must have a unique identifier to ensure accountability.

Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Physical access to systems containing cardholder data must be restricted to authorized individuals, with access logs maintained.

Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data

All activity on systems containing cardholder data must be logged and monitored, with regular reviews conducted.

Regularly test security systems and processes

Security systems and processes must be regularly tested to ensure that they are effective in protecting cardholder data.

Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel

A comprehensive information security policy must be developed and implemented to provide guidance to all personnel on the handling of cardholder data.

What are Self Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs) and Which Do I need to Complete?

SAQ, or Self-Assessment Questionnaire, is a tool developed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) to help merchants and service providers determine their level of compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). There are several types of SAQs, each designed for a specific type of business and payment processing scenario. For example, SAQ A is designed for e-commerce merchants who outsource all their payment processing to a third-party provider, while SAQ D is for merchants who store cardholder data on their own systems.

There are 9 types of SAQs:

1. SAQ A: For merchants who outsource all cardholder data functions to PCI DSS compliant service providers and who have no electronic storage, processing, or transmission of cardholder data.

2. SAQ A-EP: For e-commerce merchants who outsource their payment processing to a PCI DSS compliant third-party and whose website has a payment page that redirects customers to the third-party payment processor.

3. SAQ B: For merchants who process cardholder data via imprint machines or standalone dial-out terminals only, and who do not store cardholder data electronically.

4. SAQ B-IP: For merchants who process cardholder data via standalone, IP-connected point-of-sale (POS) terminals only, and who do not store cardholder data electronically.

5. SAQ C: For merchants who process cardholder data via payment application systems connected to the internet, but who do not store cardholder data electronically.

6. SAQ C-VT: For merchants who process cardholder data via a virtual terminal on a personal computer connected to the internet, but who do not store cardholder data electronically.

7. SAQ D: For merchants who do not fall under any of the above SAQ types and who store, process, or transmit cardholder data electronically.

8. SAQ P2PE-HW: For merchants who use a validated PCI SSC Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) solution and who have no electronic storage of cardholder data.

9. SAQ D for Service Providers: For service providers who store, process, or transmit cardholder data on behalf of their clients.

At Anthony Timbers LLC, we can help businesses determine which SAQ they need to complete and guide them through the process to ensure they achieve PCI-DSS compliance. While completing the SAQ can be done internally, it's highly recommended that a QSA be engaged to assist with the process to ensure an accurate completion of the assessment. Engaging a QSA can also help identify gaps in an organization's security posture and recommend steps for remediation, ultimately leading to a more secure payment environment.

What is ROC and AOC and How Do I Complete Them?

ROC stands for Report on Compliance, and AOC stands for Attestation of Compliance. These are two critical documents in the PCI-DSS compliance process that help organizations prove their compliance to their acquiring banks or payment brands. The ROC is a comprehensive report that details an organization's adherence to all PCI-DSS requirements, while the AOC is a shorter document that provides an executive summary of the ROC's findings.

To ensure the accuracy and completeness of the ROC and AOC, a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) must perform an independent assessment of an organization's PCI-DSS compliance. A QSA is a professional who has been certified by the PCI Security Standards Council to assess an organization's compliance with the PCI-DSS requirements. In order to submit a ROC or AOC, a QSA like Anthony Timbers LLC is required to sign off on them.

How Anthony Timbers LLC Can Help with PCI-DSS Compliance

If you're looking to protect your customers' sensitive payment card data, you need to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS). At Anthony Timbers LLC, we understand that achieving PCI-DSS compliance can be a daunting task, which is why we offer expert guidance and support to help you navigate the complex requirements. Our team of experienced professionals will work with you to assess your current security posture and identify any areas of weakness that need to be addressed to meet the PCI-DSS standards. We'll then develop a comprehensive strategy to help you achieve compliance and maintain it over time. From securing your networks and systems to training your employees on best practices, we provide a range of services to help you meet all 12 PCI-DSS requirements. With our help, you can protect your customers' payment card data, avoid costly fines, and safeguard your business's reputation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business achieve PCI-DSS compliance.

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