PCI-DSS Compliance
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard & Transaction Resilience
Lottie animation here – shield + network + lock for example
Framework Breakdown
- What is PCI-DSS?
- Core Requirements & Our Services
- How We Help You Comply
- Download Example Report
- FAQ
What is PCI-DSS?
The PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) establishes mandatory cybersecurity requirements for all entities that store, process, or transmit cardholder data. This includes merchants, processors, acquirers, issuers, and service providers.
Our comprehensive service portfolio addresses the standard’s core requirements through governance frameworks, continuous security testing, encrypted data management, incident response, and workforce awareness programs. By combining proactive threat detection and resilience validation, organizations can demonstrate compliance with mandatory security measures while building genuine operational resilience against financial cyber threats.
Core Requirements & Our Services
Governance & Risk Management
Establish risk management frameworks and security policies required for entities handling sensitive payment data.
Threat Detection & Monitoring
Support mandatory cybersecurity measures through continuous monitoring and early warning mechanisms for payment environments.
Vulnerability Management
Implement continuous security monitoring, vulnerability scanning, and patch management procedures across all cardholder data environments (CDE).
Penetration Testing
Fulfill annual penetration testing requirements and validate network security measures for compliant entities.
System & Network Hardening
Implement secure configurations, firewall management, and continuous monitoring of endpoints and wireless infrastructure.
Incident Response & Reporting
Fulfill mandatory incident handling requirements with specialized reporting obligations for data breaches.
Human Factor
Fulfill human resources security requirements and mandatory cybersecurity awareness training for personnel with access to cardholder data.
How We Help You Comply
Gap analysis and readiness assessment for PCI-DSS validation.
Sector-specific service bundles (Retail, E-commerce, Finance, Fintech).
Incident response readiness and forensic reports for regulators and banks.
Employee training aligned with PCI-DSS and HR security clauses.
Continuous monitoring via executive dashboards for real-time compliance status.
Example PCI-DSS Reporting
This export-ready sample demonstrates how our reporting structure aligns with PCI-DSS requirements and can be presented to your board or Qualified Security Assessor (QSA).
Summary of compliance status (ROC/SAQ readiness).
Risk overview of the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE).
Incident handling and response capability.
Vulnerability and threat posture.
Actions taken and prioritized next steps.
You’ll receive a PDF file directly to your inbox. No Spam.
You’ll receive a PDF file directly to your inbox. No Spam.
FAQ PCI-DSS
Do smaller businesses need to comply if we only process a few transactions a month?
Yes. If your business accepts, processes, stores, or transmits payment card data, PCI-DSS compliance is mandatory, regardless of your size or transaction volume. Keep in mind that the actual validation requirements are much simpler for organizations processing fewer transactions.
How does this overlap with the GDPR requirements we already follow?
While GDPR protects the broader personal data of citizens in your region, PCI-DSS is a global standard specifically designed to protect payment card data. Complying with PCI-DSS helps satisfy GDPR's security mandates regarding financial data, but they are separate frameworks. You cannot use GDPR compliance to wave away PCI-DSS requirements.
We use a third-party payment gateway (like Stripe, Adyen, or PayPal). Are we automatically compliant?
Not automatically, but it significantly reduces your burden. Using a compliant third-party processor means they handle the heaviest security lifting (storing and processing the actual numbers). However, you still must complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) to ensure the way your website or physical store connects to that gateway is secure.
What happens if a local business ignores these requirements?
Your acquiring bank (the bank that processes your card payments) will likely impose non-compliance fees, which can range from €10 to over €100 per month. Worse, if your business suffers a data breach while non-compliant, you face severe fines, mandatory forensic investigation costs, and the potential revocation of your ability to process credit cards entirely.
What is an SAQ, and which one do smaller merchants need?
A Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a validation tool for businesses with lower transaction volumes to self-report their compliance. The specific version you need depends entirely on how you process payments. For example, most local e-commerce sites that fully redirect customers to a third-party payment page only need to complete "SAQ A," which is the shortest version.
Do we need to hire an external auditor to prove we are secure?
Usually, no. Businesses processing fewer than 1 million transactions annually (often classified as Level 3 or 4 merchants) typically do not need to hire an external Qualified Security Assessor (QSA). You are generally allowed to self-validate using the appropriate SAQ.
Are quarterly network scans mandatory for smaller shops?
It depends on your technology setup. If your internal network touches cardholder data or if your e-commerce website hosts the payment form directly on its own servers, you will likely need quarterly vulnerability scans.
How much does it cost a smaller organization to achieve compliance?
The cost varies based on your technology. If you outsource payments entirely and just need to fill out SAQ A, the cost is primarily your administrative time. If you require ASV network scans, firewall upgrades, or staff training, the costs can range from a few hundred to a few thousand euros annually.