PCI Compliance Checklist

Prepared by:

[Your Name]

Company Name:

[Your Company Name]

Date:

May 1, 2050

1

Ensure firewalls are configured to restrict inbound and outbound traffic, including blocking unnecessary ports and protocols.

2

Regularly review firewall rules and configurations to ensure alignment with security policies and PCI DSS requirements.

3

Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and block potential threats.

1

Change default passwords on all network devices, systems, and applications to strong, unique passwords.

2

Disable or remove unnecessary services, ports, and accounts to reduce the attack surface.

3

Enforce password complexity requirements and implement account lockout policies to protect against brute-force attacks.

1

Segment the network to separate the cardholder data environment (CDE) from non-sensitive areas.

2

Implement VLANs, subnets, and access controls to restrict access to sensitive systems based on business needs.

3

Monitor and log network traffic between segments to detect and prevent unauthorized access or data exfiltration.

1

Encrypt cardholder data using strong encryption algorithms and secure cryptographic protocols (e.g., AES, TLS).

2

Protect encryption keys by storing them securely, separate from encrypted data, and ensuring access is limited to authorized personnel.

3

Implement secure key management practices, including key rotation and periodic key changes, to enhance data protection.

1

Use secure communication channels (e.g., HTTPS, SFTP) to transmit cardholder data over public networks.

2

Disable insecure protocols and services (e.g., FTP, Telnet) that transmit data in clear text.

3

Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to authenticate users and devices accessing cardholder data.

1

Limit the retention of cardholder data to only what is necessary for business operations and legal requirements.

2

Develop and enforce data retention policies and procedures to securely delete or anonymize cardholder data when it is no longer needed.

3

Implement data disposal methods, such as secure deletion and disk wiping, to ensure the permanent removal of cardholder data from storage devices.

1

Conduct regular vulnerability scans of network systems, applications, and infrastructure using approved scanning vendors (ASVs) or internal tools.

2

Schedule scans at least quarterly and after any significant changes to the network or system configurations.

3

Remediate identified vulnerabilities promptly according to risk severity and potential impact on cardholder data security.

1

Establish a patch management process to identify, prioritize, and apply security patches and updates to systems and software.

2

Implement automated patch management tools to streamline patch deployment and ensure timely patching of critical vulnerabilities.

3

Test patches in a non-production environment before deploying them to production systems to minimize the risk of disruption or system instability.

1

Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing systems or applications that store, process, or transmit cardholder data.

2

Enforce strong password policies, including minimum password length, complexity requirements, and password expiration periods.

3

Monitor and review user access logs regularly to detect and investigate unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activity.

1

Develop and maintain an information security policy that defines roles, responsibilities, and expectations for protecting cardholder data.

2

Communicate the security policy to all employees and contractors, ensuring they understand their obligations to comply with PCI DSS requirements.

3

Regularly review and update the security policy to reflect changes in technology, business operations, and regulatory requirements.

1

Develop an incident response plan to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents involving cardholder data breaches or unauthorized access.

2

Test the incident response plan through tabletop exercises and simulations to evaluate effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

3

Establish procedures for notifying stakeholders, including payment card brands, regulators, and affected individuals, in the event of a data breach or security incident.

1

Provide comprehensive security awareness training to all employees handling payment card data, covering phishing awareness, secure password practices, and data handling procedures.

2

Conduct regular security awareness campaigns and refresher training sessions to reinforce security best practices and promote a culture of security awareness.

3

Test employee knowledge and awareness through simulated phishing exercises and quizzes to assess the effectiveness of training programs.

1

Complete and submit the appropriate Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) annually to validate compliance with PCI DSS requirements based on [YOUR COMPANY NAME]'s payment processing environment.

2

Retain documentation and evidence of compliance for audit purposes, including completed SAQs, supporting documentation, and evidence of remediation activities.

3

Engage qualified security assessors (QSAs) to conduct external audits and penetration tests to assess compliance with PCI DSS requirements and address any findings or deficiencies.