PCI DSS Compliance Services
Safeguard Your Transactions, Protect Your Data
In today's digital economy, protecting payment card data is not just a regulatory requirement - it's fundamental to maintaining customer trust and business continuity. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) represents the global benchmark for securing credit card information and preventing payment card fraud. With data breaches costing organizations an average of $4.45 million and non-compliance fines ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per month, achieving and maintaining PCI DSS compliance is a critical business priority. At Glocert International, we provide expert PCI DSS compliance services to organizations worldwide. Whether you process 20,000 or 20 million transactions annually, our experienced team guides you through readiness assessments, gap analysis, security control implementation, Report on Compliance (ROC) preparation support, and Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) facilitation. Partner with Glocert International to achieve PCI DSS compliance, protect your customers' sensitive payment data, avoid costly penalties, and build a competitive advantage through validated security assurance.
What is PCI DSS?
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a comprehensive set of security requirements designed to protect cardholder data and ensure secure payment card transactions. Established by the major payment card brands - Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB - PCI DSS is administered by the PCI Security Standards Council.
PCI DSS applies to any organization that accepts, processes, stores, or transmits payment card information, regardless of size or transaction volume. This includes merchants, service providers, payment processors, banks, and any third party that handles cardholder data or sensitive authentication data.
Current PCI DSS Version
The current version is PCI DSS v4.0, released in March 2022, with full compliance required by March 31, 2024. PCI DSS v4.0 introduces updated requirements addressing cloud computing, multi-factor authentication, password security, vulnerability management, and customized implementation approaches that allow organizations flexibility in meeting security objectives.
Who Must Comply with PCI DSS?
- Merchants: Any business accepting credit or debit card payments (retail, e-commerce, restaurants, hospitality)
- Service Providers: Companies that process, store, or transmit cardholder data on behalf of merchants (payment gateways, hosting providers, managed service providers)
- Financial Institutions: Banks and credit unions that issue payment cards or process card transactions
- Payment Processors: Organizations that process card transactions on behalf of merchants and financial institutions
- Third-Party Vendors: Any organization with access to cardholder data environments (security firms, IT support providers)
Why PCI DSS Compliance Matters
PCI DSS compliance is essential for protecting payment card data and maintaining business viability in today's threat landscape:
1. Protection Against Data Breaches and Fraud
Payment card data is a primary target for cybercriminals. PCI DSS compliance implements comprehensive security controls including network segmentation, encryption, access controls, monitoring, and vulnerability management that significantly reduce breach risk. Organizations experiencing payment card breaches face forensic investigation costs, regulatory fines, payment brand penalties, customer notification expenses, credit monitoring services, and legal liabilities often totaling millions of dollars.
2. Avoid Costly Fines and Penalties
Non-compliance with PCI DSS results in severe financial consequences:
- Monthly Fines: Payment card brands can impose fines from $5,000 to $100,000 per month for non-compliance
- Transaction Fees: Increased processing fees ranging from $0.05 to $0.50 per transaction
- Loss of Payment Processing: Card brands may revoke your ability to accept card payments
- Acquiring Bank Penalties: Your acquiring bank may impose additional penalties
- Breach Penalties: Fines of $50,000 to $500,000+ if a breach occurs during non-compliance
3. Customer Trust and Brand Reputation
Customers increasingly research security practices before doing business. PCI DSS compliance demonstrates commitment to protecting customer payment information, builds trust and confidence with consumers, enhances brand reputation and credibility, differentiates your business from non-compliant competitors, and supports customer retention and loyalty. Payment card breaches result in immediate loss of customer trust, negative media coverage, social media backlash, and long-term reputational damage affecting revenue for years.
4. Competitive Advantage
Many organizations now require PCI DSS compliance from their vendors and partners. Compliance enables access to enterprise customers with strict security requirements, qualification for large contracts requiring validated security, preference in vendor selection processes, competitive differentiation in crowded markets, and higher pricing power due to demonstrated security assurance.
5. Operational Improvements
The PCI DSS compliance process drives operational improvements including documented security policies and procedures, improved network architecture and segmentation, enhanced access control and authentication, regular vulnerability and penetration testing, security awareness training programs, incident response capabilities, and overall strengthened cybersecurity posture protecting all organizational data.
Our PCI DSS Compliance Services
Glocert International provides comprehensive PCI DSS compliance services, helping you prepare for successful validation and supporting your entire compliance journey.
PCI DSS Readiness Assessment
We benchmark your current processes and controls against the PCI DSS requirements so you can implement the proper processes and policies prior to the on-site assessment. Our readiness assessment identifies gaps in your current security posture, provides detailed remediation recommendations with prioritization, documents quick wins and long-term security improvements, estimates timeline and resources needed for compliance, and prepares your team for the formal validation assessment. A readiness assessment is particularly valuable for organizations pursuing PCI DSS compliance for the first time or those who have experienced significant environmental changes.
PCI DSS Assessment Preparation
We provide comprehensive planning and preparation services to ensure you're ready for your on-site PCI DSS assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA). Our services include preparing documentation for all 12 PCI DSS requirements and sub-requirements, coaching key personnel across IT, security, and business functions for assessor interviews, reviewing and organizing policies, procedures, and system configurations, preparing evidence for security control validation, documenting network segmentation and cardholder data flows, conducting pre-assessment testing of security systems and processes, and ensuring all documentation is audit-ready. We help you prepare for the formal assessment that results in a Report on Compliance (ROC) and Attestation of Compliance (AOC) required for Level 1 and Level 2 merchants and service providers.
Facilitated Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)
We customize the SAQ selection based on your organization's specific payment card processing and identify the appropriate compliance requirements for PCI DSS. The PCI DSS offers multiple SAQ types (A, A-EP, B, B-IP, C, C-VT, D-Merchant, D-Service Provider) based on your payment channels and processing methods. Our SAQ facilitation services include determining the appropriate SAQ type for your environment, assisting with SAQ completion and evidence collection, reviewing technical controls and documentation, validating quarterly network scans by Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), ensuring accurate and complete SAQ submission, and preparing Attestation of Compliance (AOC). SAQ completion is required for Level 3 and Level 4 merchants and must be submitted annually to your acquiring bank and payment brands.
Additional PCI DSS Services
Gap Remediation Support
Guidance and support implementing security controls to address identified gaps.
Network Segmentation Design
Architecture review and segmentation strategies to reduce PCI scope.
Security Policy Development
Creation of PCI DSS-compliant policies, procedures, and documentation.
Penetration Testing
Annual penetration testing required by PCI DSS requirement 11.4.
Security Awareness Training
Employee training programs on PCI DSS requirements and security best practices.
Annual Compliance Maintenance
Ongoing support for annual assessments, ASV scans, and continuous compliance.
The 12 Requirements of PCI DSS
PCI DSS v4.0 consists of 12 high-level requirements organized into six security objectives:
Build and Maintain a Secure Network and Systems
Requirement 1: Install and maintain network security controls
Firewalls and network security controls to protect cardholder data environment from untrusted networks.
Requirement 2: Apply secure configurations to all system components
Secure configuration standards, removing default passwords, disabling unnecessary services.
Protect Account Data
Requirement 3: Protect stored account data
Minimize data storage, encrypt stored cardholder data, implement key management.
Requirement 4: Protect cardholder data with strong cryptography during transmission over open, public networks
TLS/SSL encryption for cardholder data transmitted across public networks.
Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program
Requirement 5: Protect all systems and networks from malicious software
Anti-malware solutions, regular updates, and malware protection mechanisms.
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and software
Secure software development, patch management, vulnerability remediation.
Implement Strong Access Control Measures
Requirement 7: Restrict access to system components and cardholder data by business need to know
Role-based access control limiting data access to job functions.
Requirement 8: Identify users and authenticate access to system components
Unique user IDs, strong authentication including multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Physical security controls for data centers, servers, and media storage.
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks
Requirement 10: Log and monitor all access to system components and cardholder data
Comprehensive logging, log review, and security information and event management (SIEM).
Requirement 11: Test security of systems and networks regularly
Vulnerability scans, penetration testing, file integrity monitoring, intrusion detection.
Maintain an Information Security Policy
Requirement 12: Support information security with organizational policies and programs
Security policy, risk assessment, security awareness training, incident response plan.
Benefits of PCI DSS Compliance
Achieving PCI DSS compliance through validated assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor provides substantial business benefits:
Avoid Costly Fines
Avoids costly fines associated with non-compliance, ranging from $5,000 – $10,000 monthly from payment card brands, plus additional acquiring bank penalties.
Increased Confidence
Increases confidence and peace of mind for organizations, banks, and customers through independent validation by a Qualified Security Assessor.
Increased Profits
Increases profits through new customer acquisition. Organizations demonstrating PCI DSS compliance win more business from security-conscious customers.
Competitive Advantage
Provides a competitive advantage that your organization has been validated by a Qualified Security Assessor Company, differentiating you from non-compliant competitors.
Reduced Breach Risk
Comprehensive security controls significantly reduce risk of data breaches and associated costs averaging $4.45 million per incident.
Lower Insurance Premiums
Cyber insurance providers often offer premium discounts for PCI DSS compliant organizations due to reduced risk profile.
Brand Protection
Protects brand reputation and customer relationships by demonstrating commitment to payment security.
Operational Improvements
Drives security improvements across your entire organization, not just payment card systems.
PCI DSS Compliance Levels
The payment card brands categorize merchants and service providers into different compliance levels based on annual transaction volume. Compliance requirements vary by level:
Merchant Compliance Levels
| Level | Transaction Volume (Annual) | Validation Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Over 6 million transactions | Annual ROC by QSA, Quarterly ASV scans, Attestation of Compliance |
| Level 2 | 1-6 million transactions | Annual SAQ or ROC, Quarterly ASV scans, Attestation of Compliance |
| Level 3 | 20,000-1 million e-commerce transactions | Annual SAQ, Quarterly ASV scans, Attestation of Compliance |
| Level 4 | Less than 20,000 e-commerce or less than 1 million transactions | Annual SAQ, Quarterly ASV scans (if applicable), Attestation of Compliance |
Service Provider Compliance Levels
Service providers that store, process, or transmit cardholder data on behalf of other organizations have similar level classifications:
- Level 1: Over 300,000 transactions annually – Requires annual ROC by QSA
- Level 2: Fewer than 300,000 transactions annually – May complete SAQ or ROC depending on card brand requirements
PCI DSS Compliance Pricing
Our PCI DSS assessment pricing is transparent and based on your organization's transaction volume, compliance level, and environment complexity. We offer competitive QSA rates with no hidden fees.
Request a Quote
Get a personalized estimate based on your compliance level, transaction volume, and environment scope.
Contact Us for PricingWhat's Included in PCI DSS Pricing:
- Scoping and cardholder data environment (CDE) definition
- Comprehensive assessment of all 12 PCI DSS requirements
- On-site assessment (for ROC engagements)
- Technical testing and validation of security controls
- Interview with key personnel
- Documentation and evidence review
- Report on Compliance (ROC) or SAQ completion
- Attestation of Compliance (AOC)
- Post-assessment consultation and guidance
Note: PCI DSS assessment pricing varies based on compliance level (1-4), number of in-scope locations and systems, transaction volume and processing channels, complexity of cardholder data environment, and whether ROC or SAQ is required. Readiness assessments are typically priced separately. Contact us for a detailed, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Find answers to common questions about PCI DSS compliance:
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of security requirements for any organization that accepts, processes, stores, or transmits payment card data. This includes all merchants (regardless of size), service providers, payment processors, and any organization with access to cardholder data. PCI DSS is mandatory and enforced by the major payment card brands (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB). Non-compliance can result in fines from $5,000 to $100,000 per month, increased transaction fees, and potential loss of ability to accept card payments.
Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): A validation tool for smaller merchants and service providers (Level 3 and 4) to self-assess their compliance. Multiple SAQ types (A, A-EP, B, B-IP, C, C-VT, D) exist based on payment channels. Organizations complete the SAQ and submit it with an Attestation of Compliance (AOC). Report on Compliance (ROC): A comprehensive compliance report prepared by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) after conducting an on-site assessment. Required for Level 1 and typically Level 2 merchants and service providers. The ROC documents validation of all 12 PCI DSS requirements and is submitted with an AOC. ROC is more rigorous and provides higher assurance than SAQ.
Timeline varies significantly based on current security posture, compliance level, and environment complexity. SAQ Completion: 2-6 weeks for organizations already meeting requirements. ROC Assessment: 6-12 weeks from kickoff to final report (assumes controls in place). First-Time Compliance: 3-12 months including gap remediation for organizations starting from scratch. Factors affecting timeline include number and severity of gaps identified in readiness assessment, complexity of cardholder data environment, availability of documentation and evidence, resource availability for implementing controls, and number of locations requiring assessment. Organizations should begin the compliance process well in advance of any deadlines.
A Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) is an organization certified by the PCI Security Standards Council to validate PCI DSS compliance. QSAs undergo rigorous training, testing, and annual recertification to maintain their qualification. You need a QSA if you are a Level 1 merchant (over 6 million transactions annually), a Level 1 service provider (over 300,000 transactions annually), or required by your acquiring bank or payment brand to obtain a ROC. Benefits of using a QSA include independent validation providing credibility with acquiring banks and customers, expertise in PCI DSS requirements and security best practices, identification of security gaps and remediation guidance, acceptance of ROC by all payment card brands, and protection in event of breach (demonstrates due diligence).
Non-compliance penalties can be severe and escalating. Monthly non-compliance fees range from $5,000 to $100,000 per month from payment card brands. Transaction fee increases range from $0.05 to $0.50 per transaction. In case of data breach during non-compliance, additional fines of $50,000 to $500,000+ apply, along with forensic investigation costs ($50,000-$500,000), customer notification and credit monitoring costs, legal fees and potential lawsuits, and brand reputation damage. Card brands may suspend or terminate your ability to accept card payments. Your acquiring bank may terminate your merchant account. The total cost of breach combined with non-compliance penalties can reach millions of dollars and potentially force business closure, particularly for smaller organizations.
Scope reduction is a key strategy to simplify compliance and reduce costs. Strategies include using tokenization to replace cardholder data with non-sensitive tokens, using point-to-point encryption (P2PE) for payment terminals, outsourcing payment processing to PCI-compliant service providers (e.g., hosted payment pages, payment gateways), implementing network segmentation isolating cardholder data environment, minimizing data storage by not storing sensitive authentication data (CVV, track data), using cloud payment platforms with PCI compliance inheritance, and eliminating unnecessary cardholder data retention. A smaller scope means fewer systems to secure, assess, and maintain for compliance, significantly reducing costs and complexity. Glocert International can help you identify scope reduction opportunities during readiness assessment.
The current version is PCI DSS v4.0, released in March 2022. All organizations must be compliant with PCI DSS v4.0 by March 31, 2024. PCI DSS v3.2.1 is retired as of that date. PCI DSS v4.0 introduces several important updates including enhanced multi-factor authentication requirements, expanded password requirements and complexity, customized implementation approaches allowing flexibility in meeting requirements, updated encryption and cryptography standards, cloud security and containerization guidance, additional requirements for service providers, and ongoing validation of controls beyond point-in-time assessment. Organizations should review the v4.0 changes and plan upgrades to meet new requirements by the compliance deadline.
Yes, you still need PCI DSS compliance even when using a third-party payment processor, though your scope and requirements may be significantly reduced. If cardholder data passes through your environment at any point (e.g., card present terminals, ecommerce checkout pages you host), you have PCI compliance obligations. Using a hosted payment page or iframe from your processor can reduce your scope to SAQ A or SAQ A-EP (simplest validation). Even with minimal scope, you must complete an SAQ, submit Attestation of Compliance, conduct quarterly ASV scans (if required), maintain PCI-compliant policies, and ensure your processor is PCI DSS compliant (request their AOC). The best approach is to minimize how much cardholder data touches your systems by using tokenization, encrypted terminals, and hosted payment solutions.
PCI DSS validation is required annually, but compliance is an ongoing continuous requirement. Annual requirements include SAQ or ROC completion and submission to acquiring bank/payment brands. Quarterly requirements include Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) network vulnerability scans (for most SAQ types and all ROC). Ongoing requirements include continuous compliance monitoring, security logging and monitoring 24/7, incident response preparedness, security awareness training, vulnerability remediation as identified, and policy and procedure updates as needed. Additionally, any significant changes to your cardholder data environment (new systems, locations, processing channels) may require interim assessment or notification to your acquiring bank. PCI DSS compliance is not a one-time annual event but a continuous commitment to maintaining security controls.
Yes, Glocert International provides comprehensive gap remediation support following your readiness assessment. Our services include security policy and procedure development to meet PCI DSS requirements, network segmentation design and implementation guidance, security control implementation recommendations, technology selection guidance (encryption, tokenization, MFA), security awareness training programs, penetration testing and vulnerability assessment services, incident response plan development, and project management support for compliance initiatives. However, as a QSA, we maintain independence by providing consulting services and formal validation assessment through separate engagement teams. We can guide and advise on remediation efforts, then conduct your formal assessment once gaps are addressed. This approach ensures objective validation while providing the expertise you need to achieve compliance efficiently.
Why Choose Glocert for PCI DSS Compliance?
Expert PCI DSS Consulting Services
Glocert International specializes in PCI DSS compliance consulting, helping organizations prepare for and achieve successful validation. Our team has deep expertise in payment card security, PCI DSS requirements across all versions, and practical implementation strategies. We provide comprehensive readiness assessments, gap remediation guidance, security control implementation support, and documentation preparation to ensure you're fully prepared for your formal PCI DSS validation by a Qualified Security Assessor.
Payment Security Expertise
Our team includes certified security professionals with deep expertise in payment card security, PCI DSS requirements across all versions, cardholder data environment architecture and segmentation, payment processing technologies and channels, retail, e-commerce, and mobile payment security, and payment industry regulations and standards. We've conducted PCI DSS assessments for merchants and service providers across industries including retail, hospitality, healthcare, e-commerce, financial services, and technology. Our payment security focus ensures we provide relevant, practical guidance throughout your compliance journey.
Comprehensive Service Portfolio
Glocert International offers complete PCI DSS services including readiness assessments and gap analysis, on-site ROC assessments for Level 1 and 2 organizations, facilitated SAQ completion for Level 3 and 4 organizations, network segmentation review and recommendations, penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, security policy and procedure development, security awareness training programs, annual compliance maintenance and support, and combined compliance programs with SOC 2 or ISO 27001. Our integrated approach allows us to coordinate multiple compliance needs efficiently.
Industry Recognition and Experience
Glocert International has established credibility in the payment security industry through our QSA qualification, membership in the PCI Security Standards Council, certifications including CISSP, CISA, CEH, and PCI QSA, successful completion of assessments for organizations processing millions to billions of transactions, recognition from payment card brands and acquiring banks, and commitment to quality and customer service. Our experience spans simple e-commerce implementations to complex multi-location retail and hospitality environments, ensuring we can handle your specific compliance needs regardless of complexity.
Related Services
Organizations handling payment card data often need additional compliance certifications. Glocert International also provides SOC 2 audits, ISO 27001 certification, HIPAA validation for healthcare payments, and penetration testing services. We can coordinate multiple engagements to maximize efficiency, leverage shared evidence, and provide comprehensive security and compliance validation.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Organization
Contact us today to learn more about our PCI DSS compliance services and how we can help you achieve payment card security excellence.
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