Gartner Research

Maintaining PCI Compliance: Assess the Impact of Changes in Business, Technology, and PCI DSS

Published: 15 November 2011

ID: G00225377

Analyst(s): Anton Chuvakin

Summary

Merchants subject to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) rules are often blindsided by DSS changes, arrival of new payment technologies, and newly emerging business context. In addition, many organizations still narrowly focus on annual PCI assessment and not on running an ongoing compliance program. A structured approach for dealing with such changes, involving relevant stakeholders, evaluating their impact, and planning controls to close the gap should be adopted by security teams. This will help make the security program resilient to environmental and PCI changes so that the organization can be secure and PCI compliant at any moment.

Table Of Contents

Summary of Findings

Guidance Context

  • Problem Statement
  • Guidance Applicability
  • Related Guidance

The Gartner Approach

The Guidance Framework

  • Pre-work
    • Pre-work Structure
    • Pre-work Actions
    • Pre-work Information Collection
  • Evaluate Business, Technology, or Guidance Changes
    • Business Changes
    • Technology Changes
    • External Guidance Changes
  • Review Current Controls and Current Assessment Evidence
    • Review Current Control Inventory
    • Review Current Assessment Practices and Evidence
  • Determine New Compliance and Validation Requirements
    • New Compliance Requirements
    • New Validation Requirements
  • Plan and Implement Control Changes and Assessment Procedures
    • Plan and Implement Control Changes
    • Evergreen Practices
    • PCI Scope Reduction
    • Prepare for an Assessment
  • Future-Proof Your PCI Posture
    • PCI Resilience Tips

Risks and Pitfalls

  • Too Much Focus on PCI DSS and Other Compliance
  • Narrow Focus on PCI DSS Validation
  • Only Remembering About PCI DSS Once a Year
  • Not Having Operational Compliance Program
  • Panic/Reactive Approach to Changes

Conclusion

Recommended Reading

Notes

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