Protect payment data. Build customer trust.
CyberAtrix helps payment-facing organizations understand their cardholder data environment, reduce PCI DSS gaps, strengthen security controls and prepare for assessment with a structured, evidence-led approach.
A security program built around cardholder data.
PCI DSS is a global payment-card security standard for organizations that store, process or transmit cardholder data, and for entities whose activities can affect the security of the cardholder data environment. CyberAtrix helps organizations translate applicable requirements into practical security controls, evidence and remediation actions.
Scope the CDE
Identify cardholder-data flows, systems, networks, people and third-party connections that may affect PCI DSS scope.
Assess the Controls
Evaluate technical and operational safeguards, identify gaps and prioritize remediation according to risk and applicability.
Prepare the Evidence
Organize policies, configurations, logs, scans, testing records and other evidence needed to demonstrate control implementation.
12 core requirements. One connected security objective.
PCI DSS v4.0.1 organizes security expectations into 12 requirements covering network security, secure configurations, protection of stored data, encryption, malware protection, secure development, access control, authentication, physical security, monitoring, testing and governance.
Network Security Controls
Establish and maintain controls that restrict and protect network traffic.
Secure Configurations
Apply secure configuration standards and prevent insecure defaults.
Stored Account Data
Protect stored account data and minimize unnecessary retention.
Transmission Security
Protect cardholder data when transmitted over open, public networks.
Malware Protection
Protect systems against malicious software where applicable.
Secure Software
Develop and maintain secure systems and software, including vulnerability management.
Access Restriction
Restrict access to system components and data according to business need.
Identification & Authentication
Identify users and authenticate access to systems and services.
Physical Access
Restrict physical access to cardholder data and systems.
Logging & Monitoring
Log access and activities and monitor for anomalies and suspicious events.
Security Testing
Regularly test security systems, processes and vulnerabilities.
Security Policy & Governance
Support information security through policies, risk management and organizational processes.
From CDE discovery to assessment readiness.
Our PCI DSS program can be tailored to your environment, including e-commerce, SaaS, payment platforms, service providers and hybrid cloud infrastructure.
PCI DSS Gap Assessment
Requirement-by-requirement assessment of your current security and compliance posture.
CDE Scoping & Data Flow
Map cardholder data flows and supporting systems to help establish an accurate and defensible scope.
Requirement 11 Testing Support
Coordinate applicable vulnerability scanning, penetration testing and other security testing activities.
Cloud & Infrastructure Review
Assess AWS, Azure, networks, firewalls, servers, endpoints and configurations relevant to the CDE.
Application & API Security
Review web applications, APIs and payment-facing components for security weaknesses and control gaps.
Access & IAM Review
Evaluate authentication, MFA, privileged access, user lifecycle and access review practices.
Policies & Procedures
Develop or strengthen security policies, standards, procedures and governance documentation.
Evidence Readiness
Build evidence registers and collection workflows so control owners know what to retain and when.
Remediation & Retesting
Prioritize gaps, track corrective actions and validate remediation before formal assessment activities.
A clear path from uncertainty to assessment readiness.
Discover & Scope
Understand payment channels, cardholder-data flows, connected systems, segmentation and third-party dependencies.
Build the CDE Inventory
Document relevant assets, technologies, services, data stores, interfaces and responsibilities.
PCI DSS Gap Assessment
Assess applicable requirements and identify control, documentation, process and evidence gaps.
Risk & Prioritization
Rank findings based on security impact, applicability, exposure and remediation effort.
Control Design
Define practical technical and administrative controls with clear ownership and operating frequency.
Technical Validation
Perform or coordinate applicable vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, configuration and access reviews.
Remediation
Address identified weaknesses and document corrective actions and implementation evidence.
Evidence Collection
Organize policies, logs, tickets, configurations, scans, test results, approvals and other supporting evidence.
Internal Readiness Review
Conduct a final control and evidence review to identify unresolved gaps before the formal assessment.
Assessment Support
Support coordination, evidence responses and clarification during the applicable independent assessment process.
PCI DSS readiness across the technology stack.
Network & Segmentation
Firewalls, network paths, segmentation controls, wireless security and secure remote access.
Identity & Access
User accounts, privileged access, MFA, authentication mechanisms and periodic access reviews.
Applications & APIs
Secure development, change control, web applications, APIs, payment interfaces and vulnerability management.
Cloud Security
AWS/Azure architecture, security groups, IAM, logging, storage controls and configuration posture.
Logging & Monitoring
Audit trails, centralized logging, alerting, review processes and incident response evidence.
Data Protection
Storage, retention, encryption, transmission, key-management and secure disposal considerations.
Understand the evidence behind every requirement.
| Control Area | Typical Evidence Examples | CyberAtrix Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Access Control | User listings, approvals, reviews, IAM configuration | Design + Effectiveness |
| Vulnerability Management | Scan reports, remediation records, patch evidence | Technical Validation |
| Security Testing | Penetration tests, methodology, findings, retests | Testing Support |
| Logging & Monitoring | Logs, alerts, review records, retention settings | Evidence Readiness |
| Policies & Governance | Policies, standards, risk records, acknowledgements | Governance |
Compliance backed by cybersecurity capability.
GRC + Technical Security
Combine compliance governance with practical security assessments across applications, APIs, cloud, network and identity.
Evidence-Led Approach
Controls are mapped to ownership and evidence so your team can maintain readiness rather than prepare only at audit time.
Remediation Focus
Findings are translated into prioritized actions with technical context, helping teams move from gaps to measurable improvement.
Common PCI DSS questions.
What is PCI DSS?
PCI DSS is a payment-card security standard designed to protect account data and strengthen security controls around environments that handle payment card information.
What is PCI DSS 4.0.1?
PCI DSS 4.0.1 is the current limited revision of PCI DSS 4.0, incorporating clarifications and corrections while retaining the overall structure of the standard.
Do all companies need the same PCI DSS controls?
No. Applicability depends on payment channels, technologies, transaction flows, scope and the organization's role in the payment ecosystem.
Can CyberAtrix issue PCI DSS certification?
CyberAtrix provides readiness, advisory, technical assessment and remediation support. Formal validation documentation and assessment activities depend on the applicable PCI SSC validation path and authorized assessment roles.
Can PCI DSS scope be reduced?
Potentially, through appropriate architecture, segmentation, tokenization, outsourcing and other validated design choices. Scoping decisions must be technically defensible and aligned with PCI DSS requirements.
Is penetration testing part of PCI DSS?
Applicable security testing requirements can include penetration testing and other testing activities. The exact obligations depend on the systems, scope and applicable PCI DSS requirements.
Know your PCI DSS gaps before they become assessment problems.
Talk to CyberAtrix for PCI DSS gap assessment, CDE scoping, technical security reviews, remediation and assessment readiness.