What is that?
PCI DSS audits and certifications are essential for the security of electronic payments.
E-commerce transactions are largely dependent on the use of credit cards. But how can you ensure the security of data and transactions and prevent fraud?
PCI DSS is a standard for cybersecurity, introduced in 2006 by a consortium of American Express, Discover, JCB, Mastercard and Visa, known as the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council.
PCI DSS certification regulates the management of credit card payments, guaranteeing users maximum security in transactions.
This standard is aimed at organizations that store, process or transmit cardholder data, including merchants, acquirers, issuers and service providers. PCI DSS is the benchmark for consumer protection, contributing to the reduction of fraud and data breaches across the entire electronic payments ecosystem. It is applicable to all entities that accept or process card payments.
PCI DSS certification: the requirements
er join the PCI DSS standards, a company must meet specific requirements. These include the practices adopted for storing, processing and transmitting cardholder data, as well as how card data flows are managed, their retention and the IT systems employed.
The purpose of PCI-DSS certification is to protect credit card holder data by establishing detailed policies for procedures, network structure and software. Businesses that process credit card numbers must comply with these requirements.
How it works
As we have reviewed, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is essential for protecting sensitive data and transaction information.
This standard does not replace legal requirements, such as those provided by ISO 27000 certifications, but represents an additional level of security. It assures end users that the practices adopted comply with the standards recognized by the main players in the sector.
Obtaining PCI-DSS certification requires overcoming some technical and administrative complexities. Safecore offers assistance to companies in all stages of the process, starting from preliminary analyzes up to the necessary implementations and, if necessary, to the issuing of certifications.
How PCI-DSS certification takes place
First of all, the technicians and specialists of Safecore proceed with one situation analysis.
This process, called PCI DSS Audits, is needed to determine the current state of transaction security within the enterprise, which implementations are already in place, which need to be improved, and which are built from scratch. After this first phase, it is possible to proceed with the steps necessary to obtain the certification.
Safecore, accredited as Qualified Security Assessor by PCI SSC, is enabled to support and certify companies in the compliance process with a modular proposal.
Safecore can also offer consultancy services on PCI DSS for companies that already have a certification, or that want to obtain it and have internal staff with the necessary technical and managerial skills.
- identification of the scope of application of the standard (CDE or cardholder data environment);
- verification of the starting situation and definition of the adaptation plan (gap analysis);
- organizational and technological consultancy to implement what is required and understand the innovations introduced by new versions of the standard;
- support for the customer in the self-certification process through the Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) most suited to their payment processes;
- execution of the certification visit (onsite audit) for entities that cannot or do not wish to use self-certification, compilation of the Report on Compliance (RoC) and the Attestation of Compliance
(AoC); - execution of the audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests required for the issue of the certification;
- dedicated training;
support for registration in the lists of service providers accredited by the various pavment brands
Why should you choose Safecore
The team Safecore is made up of people who have always been passionate about challenges, especially those related to IT security. The numerous experiences faced in important contexts such as banking and insurance, the heterogeneity and the strong bond of the team makes Safecore an excellent preventive weapon.
Over time, high problem solving skills and a method of thinking outside the box (“Think Outside The Box”) have been acquired, which has proved to be vital for achieving excellent results.
The team Safecore is highly qualified and boasts various certifications recognized at company level, including:
- OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
- oswe extension (Offensive Security Web Expert)
- eWPT (eLearnSecurity Web application Penetration Tester)
- eMAPT (eLearnSecurity Mobile Application Penetration Tester)
- eJPT (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester)
- eCDFP (eLearnSecurity Certified Digital Forensics Professional)
- ISO 27001 Lead Auditor
- ISO 22301 Lead Auditor
Our methodology
Safecore has developed a holistic approach which consists in the periodic analysis of the risks coming from the three fundamental components within an organization such as the PEOPLE, the PROCESSES and TECHNOLOGIES.
implement security policies to protect all personnel, internal and external, involved in the provision of services
inclusion of security principles in all company processes in compliance with "Security by design"
verify the security of all the technologies adopted within the organization with particular reference to those dedicated to the provision of services
The journey through time with Safecore
Safecore also offers the consultancy service in the subsequent phases, for updating personnel and maintaining the necessary requirements over time.
In particular, the services of Safecore They include:
- definition of the scope of the ISMS in the first implementation or expansion phase;
- gap analysis and definition of the intervention plan;
- consultancy in the implementation or certification phase for the resolution of any non-conformities;
- drafting of the documentary apparatus;
- risk analysis;
- support for internal audits;
- review activities;
- training;
- coaching during the audits of the certifying bodies.
Who can benefit?
For merchants and service providers that handle credit card data, or for companies that provide services that require certification, PCI DSS certification is a key element in their strategy. It is also crucial for businesses looking to embark on a compliance journey internally. Safecore proposes a modular and agile approach that covers all the phases necessary to achieve certification.
