In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, staying ahead of threats and ensuring the safety of sensitive customer data is paramount. For organizations that handle payment card information, complying with industry standards like PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is not only a best practice, but a compliance requirement that can result in hefty fines upwards of $100,000 a month.

The way we do business continues to evolve, and with that, the requirements to remain compliant continue to evolve as well. PCI-DSS is no exception — as of March 2024, PCI-DSS 4.0 will introduce some significant changes. These differences are largely minor but could be very impactful for organizations depending on how they previously approached PCI-DSS 3.2.1.

Digital transactions and personal data sharing have become the norm, and protecting sensitive financial information is now more important than ever before. This is where a PCI-Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) comes in.

As the retirement countdown for the current version of PCI is now less than six months, a new standard for password length, complexity, and change frequency may create some risk. Valid credentials have become a very hot item, as threat actors realize the low risk and high value of simply becoming an Initial Access Broker (rather than performing an entire cyber attack themselves).

The PCI DSS Checklist is a crucial first step in securing your business. It’s a tool that helps businesses ensure they’re meeting all the requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). By following the steps outlined in the checklist, businesses can take a comprehensive approach to security measures and access controls, and respond to new threats posed by technological advancements.