PCI DSS Compliance
PCI DSS gap assessment and remediation support for merchants and service providers.
PCI DSS Compliance Assessment
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard version 4.0 represents the most significant revision to PCI DSS in over a decade — introducing customised implementation options, new requirements for targeted risk analysis, and substantially enhanced controls for phishing, web-skimming, and authentication. Organisations handling, processing, or transmitting cardholder data — whether merchants, payment service providers, or acquirers — must demonstrate ongoing compliance or face card brand fines, increased transaction fees, and loss of card acceptance authorisation.
Intelliroot's PCI DSS Compliance Assessment begins with precise cardholder data environment (CDE) scoping — the single most important step in any PCI DSS programme, since an incorrectly scoped CDE either exposes the organisation to assessment gaps or imposes unnecessary compliance burden on out-of-scope systems. We guide you through SAQ selection, perform gap assessment across all applicable requirements, support network segmentation validation, and prepare you for QSA assessment with clean, auditor-ready evidence packages.
Why PCI DSS Compliance Requires Expert Guidance
Breaches in the CDE Carry Severe Consequences
A cardholder data breach triggers mandatory forensic investigation, card brand fines of up to USD 100,000 per month, potential loss of card acceptance, mandatory remediation, and significantly increased ongoing compliance costs. Prevention through compliance is far less expensive than breach response.
CDE Scoping Errors Are Extremely Common
Many organisations over-scope or under-scope their CDE — either creating unnecessary compliance burden or leaving cardholder data systems outside the compliance programme entirely. Correct scoping requires specialised expertise in network segmentation validation and cardholder data flow mapping.
PCI DSS v4.0 Introduced New Requirements
PCI DSS v4.0 requirements effective from 31 March 2025 include new controls for targeted risk analysis, multi-factor authentication, phishing protection, and web-based payment page script integrity. Many organisations are not yet compliant with these new requirements and face immediate exposure.
RBI Mandates PCI DSS for Payment Operators
The Reserve Bank of India requires payment system operators, payment aggregators, and entities storing or processing card data to maintain PCI DSS compliance. Non-compliance risks licence revocation in addition to card brand penalties.
What the Assessment Covers
CDE Scoping & Data Flow Mapping
- Cardholder data discovery and data flow mapping
- CDE boundary definition and segmentation validation
- SAQ applicability assessment (SAQ A through D-SP)
- Merchant and service provider level determination
- Scope reduction opportunity identification
Network Security & Access Control
- Network segmentation penetration testing
- Firewall configuration review for CDE interfaces
- Multi-factor authentication implementation review
- Privileged access management for CDE systems
- Wireless security assessment in CDE scope
Encryption & Vulnerability Management
- Encryption of cardholder data at rest and in transit
- Key management programme assessment
- Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing requirements
- Patch management programme review
- Web application firewall review for e-commerce
Policy, Monitoring & QSA Readiness
- Security policy suite review for PCI DSS requirements
- Log monitoring and audit trail assessment
- Incident response plan review for card data breaches
- Targeted risk analysis documentation (v4.0 requirement)
- QSA evidence package preparation
Our Compliance Assessment Approach
CDE Scoping & SAQ Selection
Conduct cardholder data discovery, map all data flows, and define the precise CDE boundary. Validate network segmentation controls that limit scope. Determine the correct SAQ type or ROC requirement based on your merchant level, card brand, and payment processing model.
Gap Assessment Against PCI DSS v4.0
Perform a requirement-by-requirement gap assessment across all applicable PCI DSS v4.0 requirements, including the new future-dated requirements effective March 2025. Document control status as In Place, Partially In Place, Not In Place, or Not Applicable with supporting evidence.
Network Segmentation Testing & Penetration Testing
Conduct penetration testing of network segmentation controls to confirm that out-of-scope systems cannot access the CDE — a mandatory requirement under PCI DSS 11.4.5. Perform internal and external penetration testing of CDE systems per Requirement 11.4.
Remediation Support & Evidence Preparation
Support remediation of identified gaps — providing technical guidance on encryption, access control, logging, and patch management implementations. Prepare structured QSA-ready evidence packages for each PCI DSS requirement, reducing QSA assessment time and cost.
QSA Readiness Review & Ongoing Compliance
Conduct a pre-QSA readiness review simulating the QSA's testing procedures. Provide a compliance dashboard for ongoing monitoring of PCI DSS control status, vulnerability scan scheduling, and annual assessment planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deliverables
PCI DSS Gap Assessment Report
Requirement-by-requirement assessment of control status against PCI DSS v4.0, including new future-dated requirements, with supporting evidence and gap descriptions.
CDE Scope & Data Flow Documentation
Cardholder data flow diagrams, CDE boundary definition, network segmentation validation results, and SAQ/ROC applicability determination.
Penetration Test Report
Internal and external penetration test report for CDE systems plus segmentation testing results — meeting PCI DSS Requirement 11.4 testing documentation requirements.
QSA Evidence Package
Structured evidence pack organised by PCI DSS requirement — containing policies, configurations, logs, and control documentation ready for QSA review.
Remediation Roadmap
Prioritised remediation plan addressing identified gaps, with effort estimates, implementation guidance, and milestone dates aligned to your QSA assessment schedule.
Request a Security Assessment
Tell us about your environment and security objectives. We'll design a bespoke assessment and deliver a detailed proposal within 48 hours.