Compliance & Audit Services

PCI DSS Assessment

  • May 8, 2025
  • 0

Sherlocked Security – PCI DSS Assessment

Ensuring Compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) for Protecting Payment Card Information

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: PCI DSS Assessment
Client Type: Financial Institutions, E-Commerce Companies, Retailers, Service Providers handling Payment Card Data
Service Model: PCI DSS Gap Assessment + Compliance Audit + Remediation Planning
Compliance Coverage: PCI DSS Version 4.0

Assessment Types:

  • Scope Definition and Cardholder Data Flow Mapping
  • Gap Analysis against PCI DSS 12 Requirements
  • Risk Assessment for Sensitive Data Handling
  • Testing of Security Controls
  • Remediation and Recommendations for PCI DSS Compliance

2. Our Approach

[Scope Identification] → [Cardholder Data Flow Mapping] → [Gap Analysis & Control Testing] → [Vulnerability Scanning] → [Risk Assessment] → [Compliance Report Generation] → [Remediation Recommendations]

3. Methodology

[Scope Determination] → [Cardholder Data Inventory] → [Security Control Assessment] → [Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing] → [Control Remediation Recommendations] → [Compliance Report]

4. Deliverables to the Client

  1. PCI DSS Gap Analysis Report
  2. PCI DSS Compliance Status Overview (For all 12 Requirements)
  3. Findings and Risks Identification Report
  4. Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing Results
  5. Remediation Plan with Prioritized Recommendations
  6. Risk Assessment and Residual Risk Report
  7. Full PCI DSS Compliance Report (For Type 2 Audit)

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

  • Access to network diagrams and cardholder data flow mapping
  • Access to systems handling payment card data (e.g., POS, payment gateways, storage systems)
  • Access to relevant documentation (e.g., policies, procedures, past audits)
  • Information on third-party vendors and service providers
  • Access to current vulnerability scan results and penetration test reports
  • NDA and scope confirmation for conducting the assessment

6. Tools & Technology Stack

  • Vulnerability Scanning Tools: Qualys, Nessus, OpenVAS
  • Penetration Testing Tools: Burp Suite, Metasploit, Nikto, Hydra
  • Compliance Mapping Tools: PCI DSS Gap Analysis Templates, Custom PCI DSS Audit Frameworks
  • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Splunk, LogRhythm
  • Risk Assessment: RiskWatch, ISMS360

7. Engagement Lifecycle

1. Kickoff & Documentation Review → 2. Cardholder Data Flow Mapping → 3. Gap Analysis → 4. Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing → 5. Report Generation → 6. Remediation Recommendations → 7. Final Compliance Report and Certification (if applicable)

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature Sherlocked Advantage
PCI DSS Expert Reviewers Certified PCI DSS professionals with deep knowledge of the standard.
Full Scope Identification Comprehensive mapping of cardholder data flow and scope of compliance.
Extensive Security Testing In-depth vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tailored for PCI DSS.
Remediation Guidance Clear, actionable remediation steps to achieve PCI DSS compliance.
Compliance Certification Support Guidance on completing and achieving PCI DSS Type 2 certification.

9. Real-World Case Studies

Insecure Payment Gateway

Issue: Payment gateway was storing cardholder data in plaintext within its database.
Impact: Sensitive data was at risk of theft in the event of a data breach.
Fix: Implemented proper encryption for sensitive data storage and enhanced database access controls.

Weak Access Control Measures

Issue: Administrative accounts lacked strong password policies and multifactor authentication (MFA).
Impact: Increased likelihood of unauthorized access to payment systems.
Fix: Implemented stronger password policies, enforced MFA, and limited admin privileges.

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

  1. Scope Determination

    • Identify all systems, networks, and applications that process, store, or transmit cardholder data.
    • Establish clear boundaries for the PCI DSS assessment.

  2. Cardholder Data Inventory

    • Identify where cardholder data is stored, processed, and transmitted across the network.
    • Map out the flow of cardholder data to determine potential vulnerabilities and scope.

  3. Compliance Requirement Mapping

    • Review the 12 PCI DSS requirements and assess compliance levels.
    • Perform a gap analysis to identify non-compliant areas.

  4. Vulnerability Scanning

    • Run automated vulnerability scans to identify weaknesses in the network and applications.
    • Address any high-risk vulnerabilities in scope systems.

  5. Penetration Testing

    • Simulate real-world attacks on systems that process cardholder data.
    • Report on any successful exploits and provide recommendations for mitigation.

  6. Risk Assessment

    • Conduct a risk assessment based on identified vulnerabilities and threats to cardholder data.
    • Report on residual risks after implementing mitigation strategies.

  7. Remediation Recommendations

    • Provide a detailed list of steps to remediate any non-compliance or security vulnerabilities.
    • Offer risk-mitigation strategies to align with PCI DSS compliance requirements.

  8. Final Report Generation

    • Prepare the final PCI DSS compliance report and remediation plan.
    • Provide support for obtaining PCI DSS certification (if applicable).

11. PCI DSS Assessment Checklist

1. Cardholder Data Scope and Flow

  • Map and document all systems that handle, store, or transmit cardholder data (CHD).
  • Ensure cardholder data is encrypted during storage and transmission.
  • Identify any third-party services handling cardholder data and assess their security controls.

2. Network Security and Access Controls

  • Implement a robust firewall and router configuration to protect cardholder data.
  • Ensure all systems have strong access control measures, including role-based access.
  • Utilize network segmentation to isolate cardholder data from other parts of the network.

3. Data Encryption and Storage

  • Ensure sensitive cardholder data is encrypted using strong algorithms (e.g., AES-256).
  • Use tokenization or encryption to protect stored cardholder data.
  • Ensure that encryption keys are properly managed and protected.

4. Vulnerability Management

  • Run regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests on systems handling cardholder data.
  • Ensure that all critical vulnerabilities are remediated within the prescribed timeframes.
  • Implement and enforce a process for patch management across all systems.

5. Access Management and Monitoring

  • Enforce strong authentication mechanisms, including MFA for all system access.
  • Maintain logs of all access to cardholder data and systems, and review them regularly.
  • Monitor for unauthorized access and anomalous activities in real-time.

6. Secure Application Development

  • Review and assess application security practices to ensure secure software development.
  • Conduct regular code reviews and security testing of all payment-related applications.
  • Apply proper input validation, error handling, and session management in payment systems.

7. Employee Training and Awareness

  • Provide regular security awareness training for employees handling cardholder data.
  • Train staff on identifying and reporting suspicious activities or security incidents.
  • Ensure employees are familiar with PCI DSS requirements and best practices for data protection.

8. Documentation and Reporting

  • Maintain proper documentation for security policies, procedures, and controls related to PCI DSS.
  • Ensure evidence of compliance is available for auditors during PCI DSS assessment.
  • Provide comprehensive reporting on vulnerabilities, risks, and remediation progress.
SOC 2 Type I & II Audit
Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA)