Overview
PCI DSS is the security standard that governs how organizations handle, process, and store payment card data. Whether you're a merchant, service provider, or technology vendor in the payment ecosystem, non-compliance exposes you to fines, card brand penalties, and direct liability in the event of a breach. We help you understand exactly where you stand, close the gaps that matter most, and walk into your next assessment with confidence.
A retailer came to us after their acquiring bank flagged them for a compliance deadline. They had been processing cards for years assuming their payment processor covered everything. It didn't. Scope misunderstanding is one of the most common and costly PCI mistakes — and it's entirely preventable.
Scoping & Gap Analysis
We identify which systems, networks, and processes fall within your cardholder data environment (CDE) and assess your current controls against PCI DSS v4.0 requirements. You get a clear, prioritized gap report (not a sales pitch for the longest remediation engagement possible).
Remediation Guidance
We work through your gaps with a practical remediation plan prioritized by risk and business impact. We explain what needs to change, where compensating controls may apply, and how to implement fixes your team can actually sustain over time.
Assessment Preparation & Support
We prepare your documentation, evidence package, and team for your QSA assessment or self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ). We close the readiness gaps before the assessor shows up so there are no surprises.
PCI DSS v4.0 introduced new requirements with multi-year implementation timelines. If you haven't reviewed your compliance posture since the transition, now is the time.
What You Can Expect
- Cardholder data environment (CDE) scoping review
- Gap analysis against PCI DSS v4.0 requirements
- Prioritized remediation roadmap with practical guidance
- Support for SAQ completion or QSA engagement preparation
- Executive summary suitable for board or acquiring bank reporting
Building the policy foundation first? Our Policy & Procedure Development service establishes the governance framework that PCI DSS compliance depends on.
Who This Is For
- Merchants and service providers that process, store, or transmit payment card data and have never formally assessed their PCI DSS compliance posture
- Organizations flagged by their acquiring bank or card brand for a compliance deadline or remediation requirement
- Companies that have grown and are unsure whether their current security controls meet PCI DSS v4.0 requirements
- Technology vendors in the payment ecosystem that need to demonstrate compliance to enterprise customers or partners
- Businesses preparing for a QSA assessment and wanting to close gaps before the assessor arrives
Common Questions
Who is required to comply with PCI DSS?
Any organization that accepts, processes, stores, or transmits credit card data is required to comply with PCI DSS. This includes merchants of all sizes, payment processors, service providers, and technology vendors that touch cardholder data environments. The specific validation requirements (SAQ type or QSA assessment) depend on transaction volume and how cardholder data flows through your environment. Scope misunderstanding is one of the most common and costly PCI mistakes — assuming your payment processor handles compliance on your behalf is rarely accurate.
What is the difference between a SAQ and a QSA assessment?
A Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a self-reported compliance validation used by merchants and service providers that meet specific criteria based on their transaction volume and payment acceptance methods. A Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) is an independent third-party assessor required for large merchants and certain service providers. The appropriate validation method is determined by your merchant level (set by card brands) and how you accept payments. We help you determine which applies and prepare the required documentation for either path.
What changed in PCI DSS v4.0?
PCI DSS v4.0, effective March 2024, introduced over 60 new requirements (many with implementation deadlines through March 2025 and beyond). Key changes include expanded multi-factor authentication requirements, enhanced phishing protection, stricter password requirements, new requirements for targeted risk analysis, and updated e-commerce and phishing controls. Organizations that completed a PCI compliance assessment under version 3.2.1 need to review their posture against v4.0 requirements to confirm they remain compliant.