12 PCI DSS requirements

12 PCI Requirements | What you Need to Know for PCI DSS

The 12 PCI requirements are essentially the areas that merchants and service providers will need to be compliant with regarding the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) provisions. What’s important to note is that each and every requirement has very explicit “requirements” for what truly needs to be in place for PCI DSS. Additionally, some of the requirements are more arduous and time-consuming than the others. The very first step that any merchant or service provider needs to do for PCI DSS compliance is to undertake a PCI Readiness Assessment. This essentially means going through all 12 PCI requirements and conducting a GAP analysis to see what areas you are compliant in and what areas you are not compliant in. This helps define the scope of the assessment along with giving you a very clear idea on what areas will need to be corrected before you can even think of obtaining PCI DSS compliance.

Whether you are doing a self-assessment or an actual on-site assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor, known as a QSA, a PCI readiness assessment is crucial.

To learn more about PCI DSS compliance, visit the official PCI DSS Resource Guide.

12 PCI DSS Requirements | Lessons Learned from a PCI QSA

The 12 PCI DSS Requirements are lengthy and technical indeed. However, organizations need to truly understand the scope of the PCI assessment for gaining greater insight into the efficiencies that can be had for undertaking a Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) Assessment.

So, what are my lessons learned as a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) who conducts PCI assessments?

First and foremost, the assessment is NOT always about technology. Sure there is a host of requirements surrounding the “system components” of the “cardholder environment”, but look closer and you will find that developing documented policies and procedures is one of the most time-consuming and arduous processes of the entire assessment? Your kidding, you might say? Not at all, it’s amazing how much time and effort is needed for developing these documents for ensuring PCI compliance.

Add to the fact that you need to properly “scope” the assessment for a number of parameters and I would highly advice a PCI Readiness Assessment for any entity going through a Level 1 PCI engagement.

Properly scope the assessment for what is and is not included in the “cardholder environment”, conduct a PCI Readiness Assessment and be mindful of the documented policies and procedures that must be in place for compliance.

To learn more about PCI, visit pciassessment.org