Scope → Segmentation → Tokenization → Evidence — Built to Pass, Built to Operate
PCI DSS protects card data (PAN, SAD) across people, process, and technology.
SolveForce turns PCI from a paperwork burden into an engineering system: tight scope, segmented CDE, tokenization/encryption, and continuous evidence wired to your SIEM/SOAR—so you can accept cards and sleep at night.
Connective tissue:
🔐 Keys/Secrets → /key-management • /secrets-management • /encryption
🚪 Access → /iam • /pam • /ztna • /nac
🧱 Segmentation → /microsegmentation • 🌐 Front door → /waf • /ddos
☁️ Platform → /cloud • 🔄 Delivery → /infrastructure-as-code • /devops
🔏 Privacy/Egress → /dlp • 📊 Evidence/IR → /siem-soar • /incident-response
💾 Continuity → /cloud-backup • /backup-immutability • /draas
🎯 Outcomes (Why SolveForce for PCI)
- Minimum scope— shrink your CDE with network/app segmentation and tokenization.
- Secure-by-default— FIPS-validated crypto, least-privilege access, hardened configs, continuous monitoring.
- Audit-grade evidence— control artifacts stream to SIEM; ASV scans, pen tests, rule reviews, and change records always ready.
- Fewer surprises— policy-as-code, zero-trust access, WAF/Bot at the edge, immutable backups.
🧭 Scope & Approach (What We Deliver)
- Scope definition — data-flow diagrams (e-com, POS, IVR, CCaaS), CDE boundaries, segmentation tests.
- Tokenization & PAN minimization — client-side tokens, hosted fields/redirect, or P2PE—remove PAN from your systems where possible.
- Network controls — microsegmented CDE, deny-by-default, egress allow-lists, secure DNS. → /microsegmentation
- App & API front door — WAF/Bot + DDoS, schema validation, HMAC/JWS signing, strong TLS, HSTS. → /waf • /ddos
- Crypto & custody — CMKs/HSMs (KMIP), envelope encryption, key rotation & dual control. → /key-management • /encryption
- Identity & privilege — SSO/MFA, RBAC/ABAC, JIT admin via PAM (session recording), unique IDs. → /iam • /pam
- Monitoring & IR — centralized logs with retention, use-cases in SIEM/SOAR, IR runbooks & TTX. → /siem-soar • /incident-response
🧱 PCI DSS v4.0 — What We Engineer (12 Requirements, summarized)
- Network security — hardened firewalls/routers, rule recertification, segmentation validation.
- Secure configurations — baseline CIS/benchmarks; no defaults; config drift alerts.
- Protect stored account data — tokenize; truncate/display mask; encrypt PAN at rest; remove SAD after auth.
- Strong crypto for transmission — TLS 1.2+; FIPS modules; HSTS; secure ciphers.
- Malware protection — EDR on in-scope systems; allow-listing for fixed-function devices.
- Secure software lifecycle — SDLC, SAST/DAST/SCA, SBOM, signed artifacts; change approvals. → /devops
- Access control — least privilege, SoD, role reviews.
- Identify & authenticate — MFA for admins and CDE access; password/passkey policies; unique IDs.
- Physical security — DC/closet access control & logs (for on-prem/colo CDE).
- Logging & monitoring — time sync; immutable/WORM logs; alerting & case handling in SIEM.
- Vuln mgmt & tests — ASV scans, internal/external scanning, segmentation tests, pen tests, change-triggered testing.
- Governance — policies, risk assessments, incident plans, service provider oversight, AOC/ROC/SAQ management.
Customized Approach (v4.0): where needed, we define Objective → Controls → Testing Procedures with Targeted Risk Analysis, or stick to Defined Approach controls.
🧰 Merchant & Service Provider Paths
- SAQs (A, A-EP, B, B-IP, C-VT, C, P2PE, D Merchant, D SP) — we minimize scope to reach the simplest viable SAQ.
- ROC/AOC — for higher volumes or service providers, we prep you to pass an on-site assessment and produce clean Reports on Compliance and Attestations of Compliance.
📐 SLO Guardrails (Operate PCI like a product)
| Control / Metric | Target (Recommended) |
|---|---|
| CDE encryption coverage (at rest & in transit) | = 100% |
| PAN tokenization coverage (app tier) | ≥ 99% (no raw PAN outside CDE) |
| Critical vuln remediation (High/Critical) | ≤ 30 days / ≤ 15 days |
| ASV scan pass rate (quarterly) | = 100% (no unresolved Highs) |
| Firewall rule recertification | ≤ 6 months (or policy-defined) |
| Pen test cadence | Annual + after significant change |
| MFA coverage (admins & CDE users) | = 100% |
| Log retention & integrity | Meets policy; WORM on CDE logs |
| Evidence completeness (assessments/IR) | = 100% |
SLO breaches open tickets and trigger SOAR (rollback, revoke, rekey, resegment) with approvals. → /siem-soar
🧪 Testing & Evidence (always ready)
- QuarterlyASV ext scans; internal vuln scans; segmentation tests; firewall reviews.
- Annualpen test (incl. segmentation), risk assessment, IR test/TTX, policy recerts, training.
- Change-basedtargeted scans/pen tests after significant changes.
- ArtifactsDFDs, CDE diagrams, inventory, key mgmt procedures, WAF rules & logs, access reviews, SoD matrix, change tickets, DR drills, AOC/ROC/SAQ, vendor AOCs.
🔒 Design Tenets (to shrink PCI pain)
- Tokenize early(browser/edge) and keep PAN out of your apps.
- Segment ruthlessly— CDE VRFs/VLANs; ZTNA for admin; no flat VPNs.
- Key custody— HSM + dual control; rotate on schedule & events.
- Policy-as-code— block risky configs in CI; IaC drift detection. → /infrastructure-as-code
- Immutable evidence— WORM logs/backups; signed releases; reproducible builds. → /backup-immutability
🛠️ Implementation Blueprint (No-Surprise Compliance)
1) Scope & DFDs — identify PAN flows; define CDE; pick tokenization/P2PE strategy.
2) Segmentation & front door — microseg CDE; WAF/Bot + DDoS; API signing; egress control.
3) Crypto & custody — CMEK/HSM, key ceremonies, vault for secrets; TLS hardening.
4) Identity & privilege — SSO/MFA, RBAC/ABAC, PAM JIT; unique IDs; session recording for admin.
5) Build pipeline — SAST/DAST/SCA, SBOM, signed artifacts; change approvals; infra policy gates.
6) Monitoring & IR — SIEM rules/use-cases; SOAR playbooks; time sync; alert runbooks & TTX.
7) Vuln mgmt & testing — ASV/internal scans, pen/segmentation tests; remediate & re-test.
8) Continuity — Object-Lock backups; DR runbooks; restore drills with artifacts.
9) Assess & attest — SAQ/ROC/AOC package, evidence binder, service-provider AOCs; set ConMon cadence.
✅ Pre-Engagement Checklist
🔄 Where PCI Fits (Recursive View)
1) Grammar — card flows ride /connectivity & the /networks-and-data-centers fabric.
2) Syntax — delivered via /cloud stacks and segmented CDEs with /waf at the edge.
3) Semantics — /cybersecurity preserves truth; keys/logs/backups prove it.
4) Pragmatics — /solveforce-ai assists runbooks and citations under guardrails.
📞 Make PCI Compliance Smaller, Safer & Measurably Easier
Key terms in plain language
Open a term for a concise explanation of language used on this page.
VPN
A virtual private network creates an encrypted connection across another network, commonly allowing remote users or offices to access private resources securely.
Disaster Recovery (DRaaS)
A plan and service for restoring applications, data, and operations after an outage or disruption. DRaaS provides recovery infrastructure through a managed cloud service.
Cybersecurity
The practices and controls used to protect identities, devices, networks, applications, and data from unauthorized access, disruption, or manipulation.
Zero Trust
A security model that does not automatically trust a user or device because of its location. Access is continuously verified and limited to what is necessary.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
The systems and policies that determine who a user is, what resources they may access, and how that access is authenticated and reviewed.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
A login control requiring more than one form of verification, such as a password plus an authenticator app, security key, or biometric factor.
API
An application programming interface is a defined way for software systems to exchange data or request functions from one another.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Software designed to perform tasks involving prediction, classification, generation, reasoning, or decision support. Business use still requires clear data, governance, security, and human accountability.