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PCI DSS Controls- An updated 2024 Guide!

PCI DSS Controls

PCI DSS Controls- An updated 2024 Guide!

All companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information must adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The PCI DSS Framework was established in 2004 by major credit card companies like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB.

According to a recent study, the global cost of credit card fraud is expected to reach $35.67 billion by 2024. It is the reason, staying up-to-date with these standards is crucial for businesses.

To become PCI DSS Compliant, it is necessary to understand the PCI DSS Controls first. So, This 2024 guide will provide a comprehensive overview of PCI DSS controls, highlighting their importance and the key factors that impact compliance.

What Are PCI DSS Controls?

PCI DSS controls are specific security measures and best practices that organizations must implement to protect cardholder data. These controls are divided into six categories, each addressing different aspects of security. Also, the controls make up the 12 security requirements necessary to be PCI DSS Compliant. Compliance using these 12 requirements and 6 controls helps organizations safeguard sensitive information and mitigate the risk of data breaches and fraud.

Top PCI DSS Controls You Need For Compliance

Build and Maintain a Secure Network

  • Install and Maintain a Firewall Configuration: Firewalls are essential for protecting internal networks from unauthorized access. Organizations must ensure their firewall configurations are robust and regularly updated.

What can you do?

The following goals must be assisted by the security measures you put in place to guarantee this requirement:

  • Record and put into practice operational guidelines and security rules for firewall management.
  • Limit public access to infrastructure resources
  • Prevent illegal traffic from leaving the cardholder data environment and accessing the Internet.
  • Do Not Use Vendor-Supplied Defaults for System Passwords: Default passwords and settings are easily exploitable by attackers. Organizations should always change default credentials and implement strong password policies.

How Can You Proceed?

  • Keep records of the configuration security hardening processes you use.
  • All administrative access should be encrypted using robust cryptography.
  • Keep track of all the system parts covered by PCI DSS.

Protect Cardholder Data

  • Protect Stored Cardholder Data: Sensitive data must be encrypted using strong encryption algorithms. The result is that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be accessed by unauthorized parties.

What can you do?

  • Establish and uphold a policy for the retention and disposal of data.
  • Limit the quantity and duration of time that CHD can be stored. Specify procedures for safely deleting CHD when it is no longer required.
  • If CHD is more than the specified retention period, provide a procedure to identify it and safely remove it.
  • Save just the data pieces that are needed for your business; don’t save the whole contents of each track.
  • Limit who can access cryptographic keys.
  • Use security keys and industry-accepted techniques to encrypt CHD.
  • Encrypt Transmission of Cardholder Data Across Open, Public Networks: Data in transit should be encrypted to prevent interception during transmission over unsecured networks.

What can you do?

  • Record operational guidelines and security regulations for encrypting CHD communications.
  • Make sure everyone who may be impacted is aware of and accepts the policies.

Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

  • Use and Regularly Update Anti-Virus Software: Installing and updating antivirus software regularly is crucial for safeguarding the CHD against malware on all devices, including workstations, servers, laptops, and cellphones. The antivirus program has to be running constantly and producing logs that can be audited when necessary.

What can you do?

  • Install antivirus software on every machine that is frequently impacted by harmful malware.
  • Conduct routine assessments of systems that aren’t frequently impacted by malicious software to recognize and assess new malware risks.
  • Develop and Maintain Secure Systems and Applications: Implementing a procedure to recognize and categorize all security vulnerabilities using reliable outside sources is the sixth PCI DSS criterion. The newly found security flaws must then be given a risk rating, such as “high,” “medium,” or “low.” Rankings of risks ought to take prospective effects into account and be grounded in industry best practices. Furthermore, a vulnerability can be deemed “critical” if it presents an immediate risk to the environment, affects vital systems, and/or could lead to a breach if left unchecked. Security systems, equipment that are visible to the public, and databases that handle, store, or send cardholder data are examples of critical systems.

Additionally, organizations need to apply crucial fixes to any system that handles credit card data, such as:

  • System environments
  • Databases for application software
  • Switches, routers, and firewalls
  • POS systems

What can you do?

  • Establish and put into practice a development methodology that includes security needs at every level of the process Install essential security updates
  • Make careful to keep the test environment apart.
  • Examine customized code before releasing it to clients or production.
  • Record everything.

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

  • Restrict Access to Cardholder Data by Business Need to Know: Access to sensitive information should be limited to authorized personnel only. By doing this, they may decide whether to provide or deny access to CHD. Role-based access controls (RBAC), which allow access to CHD to be granted based only on need-to-know, are also suggested for organizations. By using RBAC, for example, you can make sure that your system administrators have the required access and that your HR department is not able to access CHD.

What You Can Do?

  • List every user requiring access to CHD along with their assigned roles.
  • Policies and procedures for document access control
  • Regularly review and update the records
  • Identify and Authenticate Access to System Components: Multi-factor authentication and unique IDs for each user help ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive systems and data. A unique identity should be assigned to each authorized user having access to CHD; passwords and group user IDs should not be used. In the case of an internal breach, having this facilitates the process of identifying and assigning blame. Along with lowering susceptibility, unique IDs facilitate prompt organization response to data breaches. PCI DSS suggests using two-factor authentication to further improve this.

What You Can Do?

  • All users should be informed of the policies and processes for authentication.  
  • Give each user a distinct ID before granting them access to CHD or system components.
  • By locking out the user ID after no more than six tries, you may limit the number of times you try to log in.
  • 30 minutes should be the minimum lockout length, or until an administrator unlocks the user ID.
  • Whenever a user has not logged in for more than fifteen minutes, reactivate the terminal or session by requiring them to log in again.
  • Make all authentication credentials unreadable while in transit and storage on all system components by utilizing robust encryption.
  • Set up robust password requirements.
  • Include MFA

Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

  • Track and Monitor All Access to Network Resources and Cardholder Data: Logging and monitoring of access to sensitive data help detect and respond to suspicious activities promptly. Because of this, businesses need to keep track of their network activity logs on CHD and check them every day to look for unusual or suspect activity involving the use of network resources. For this, you might want to look at Security Information and Event Monitoring (SIEM) systems.

What You Can Do?

  • Record the data flow into your company.
  • Establish audit trails for all user logins, failed login attempts, and modifications like adding and removing system-level items.
  • restrict the audit trail’s view
  • Examine all security events and logs from essential system components, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, authentication servers, and other security-related servers, as well as system components (that manage CHD).  
  • Regularly Test Security Systems and Processes: Regular vulnerability scans and penetration testing help identify and address security weaknesses.

What You Can Do?

  • Every quarter, do an internal vulnerability scan.
  • Every year, perform network and application penetration testing on all external domains and IPs.
  • To find all permitted and illegal wireless access points, do a quarterly wireless analyzer scan.
  • Use a PCI-Approved Scanning Vendor to scan external IP addresses and domains (ASV).

Maintain an Information Security Policy

  • Maintain a Policy That Addresses Information Security: A comprehensive security policy provides guidelines for implementing and maintaining security measures. Keeping it up-to-date should be a regular part of the process.

What You Can Do?

  • Provide training on user awareness
  • Put an incident response strategy into action.
  • Evaluate risks to find critical resources, weak points, and dangers.
  • Perform background checks on employees

What Is The Role Of PCI DSS Controls?

PCI DSS controls play a vital role in maintaining the security of cardholder data. They provide a structured approach to managing and protecting sensitive information, reducing the risk of data breaches and fraud. By adhering to these controls, organizations demonstrate their commitment to data security, which can enhance customer trust and brand reputation.

Organizations that implement PCI DSS controls correctly can benefit from:

  • Decide on a security need
  • Safeguard cardholder information
  • Keep customers safe from dishonest behavior
  • Stop security lapses
  • Steer clear of penalties and legal action
  • Cut down on the expense of a data leak
  • Encourage client trust

Get Started With Socurely!

Achieving and maintaining compliance with PCI DSS standards can be a complex and resource-intensive process.

Socurely is here to help.

Comprehensive Compliance Solutions

Whether you’re a small business just starting your compliance journey or a large enterprise looking to maintain your PCI DSS standards, our expert team has the knowledge and experience to guide you every step of the way.

Expert Guidance

Our team of seasoned professionals understands the intricacies of PCI DSS controls and the latest updates to the standards.

Tailored Services

From initial assessments and gap analyses to full-scale implementation and ongoing monitoring, we tailor our services to provide the exact level of support you need.

Advanced Tools and Technology

Our solutions include automated monitoring and reporting systems that keep you informed of your compliance status in real time.

Ongoing Support and Training

Socurely provides continuous support to ensure your organization remains compliant as standards evolve. We offer regular training sessions and updates to keep your team informed of the latest PCI DSS requirements and best practices.

Don’t let the complexity of PCI DSS compliance overwhelm you.

Contact Socurely today to get started on your compliance journey and ensure your business remains secure and compliant with all PCI DSS standards.

Conclusion

In today’s digital age, PCI DSS compliance is crucial for safeguarding cardholder data. Partnering with Socurely ensures expert guidance, advanced tools, and tailored solutions for seamless compliance. Elevate your security posture and build customer trust with our comprehensive services. Contact Socurely today to secure your organization and stay compliant with ease and confidence.

FAQ

In terms of PCI DSS, what is cardholder data?

The PCI Security Standards Council (SSC) defines cardholder data as the whole Primary Account Number (PAN) plus one or more of the following components:

  • Name of cardholder
  • date of expiration
  • Code of service

Sensitive Authentication Data, which includes entire magnetic stripe data, CVV2, CID, PINs, and more, is also included. Organizations must secure all cardholder data by PCI DSS.   

How long does PCI DSS compliance last?

PCI DSS compliance must be maintained continuously, with annual assessments required to ensure ongoing adherence to the standards.

What information is protected under PCI DSS?

PCI DSS protects cardholder data, including primary account numbers (PAN), cardholder names, expiration dates, and service codes.

What are the penalties for non-compliance with PCI DSS?

Penalties for non-compliance can include fines, increased transaction fees, and even the loss of the ability to process credit card payments.

Are there different levels of PCI DSS compliance?

Yes, PCI DSS compliance levels vary based on the number of transactions processed annually, with different requirements for each level.

 

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Dynamic Policies

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Security Awareness Training

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Employee Portal

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Streamline security awareness, reduce administrative overhead, and ensure an informed, engaged, and compliant workforce with Socurely’s Employee Portal.

Socurely Agent

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It runs silently across Windows, Mac, and Linux, providing real-time insights without disrupting workflows. Achieve 24/7 readiness with this simple and effective platform feature.

Access Review

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Audit Readiness Scan

Continuously monitor compliance, identifies gaps, and assesses risks with AI Self-audit. It generates detailed audit reports and actionable insights, allowing your team to proactively address issues in real-time.

 

Save time and costs with an automated audit process, keeping your organization compliant and audit-ready year-round.

AI CoPilot

Co-pilot automates policy creation, vendor risk assessments, and risk mitigation strategies, while providing real-time recommendations to stay ahead of emerging risks. Manage complex compliance processes confidently, ensuring security and compliance in a dynamic regulatory landscape.

Risk Mitigation Plan

Protect your business proactively by identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks. Develop tailored action plans and monitor in real time to keep your organization resilient while remaining continuously secure and compliant by effectively managing security and operational threats.

Unified Dashboard

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Trust Center

Foster transparency and trust a centralized hub that delivers real-time visibility into your compliance and security status. 

 

Easily access critical documents, audit reports, and certifications to reassure your customers and stakeholders of your data protection and compliance commitment. Keep your brand trustworthy with customizable, regularly updated insights.

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Stay ahead of compliance with automated Task Tracking. Ensures timely attention to every regulatory need and security measure while minimizing missed deadlines, and maintaining an audit-ready, compliant business effortlessly.

Automated Evidence Collection

Get automated and remove the hassle of manually gathering audit evidence. 

 

This smart feature continuously monitors your systems to collect data and store it in one place for easier audits and policy updates. From security configurations and access logs to compliance documents, always have up-to-date, audit-ready evidence without lifting a finger. Simplify your audits, boost accuracy, and gain peace of mind effortlessly.

Audit Hub

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