PCI Assessment and Advisory Services

Our PCI assessment and advisory services help organizations achieve and maintain compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These services are crucial for organizations that handle cardholder data, helping ensure compliance with stringent security standards designed to protect sensitive payment information, and assist in the identification of compliance requirements and associated noncompliance risk. Our team has built methodologies tailored to organizations that have established their PCI scope in AWS.

Key Components of PCI QSA Services: Scope Definition and Reduction:

• One of the critical steps in achieving PCI DSS compliance is accurately defining the scope of the cardholder data environment (CDE). Advisors help organizations identify all systems and processes that store, process, or transmit cardholder data – including AWS systems and services.
• RSM also provides strategies for scope reduction, which involves minimizing the number of systems and processes within the CDE to reduce the complexity and cost of compliance efforts. This includes reviews and full buildout of AWS security group-based or transit gateway-based implementations of network segmentation for scope reduction purposes.

Initial Assessment and Gap Analysis:

• We begin by conducting a thorough assessment of the organization's current security posture. This involves reviewing existing security policies, procedures, and controls to identify any gaps or weaknesses in compliance with PCI DSS requirements. We leverage evidence collection and review methodologies custom-built to integrate with AWS environments.
• A detailed gap analysis report is provided, outlining areas that need improvement and offering recommendations to address these gaps.

Remediation Guidance:

• Based on the findings from the initial assessment, our QSAs offer expert guidance on how to remediate identified issues. This may include implementing new security controls, updating policies, and enhancing existing security measures – with special consideration for maximizing efficiency of AWS services and products.
• Our QSAs work closely with the organization's IT and security teams to ensure that remediation efforts are effective and aligned with PCI DSS requirements.

Ongoing Support and Maintenance:

• PCI DSS compliance is not a one-time effort but requires ongoing maintenance and monitoring. Our team can provide continuous support to help organizations maintain their compliance status. This includes regular security assessments, updates to security policies and procedures, and guidance on emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
• RSM is a provider of a wide variety of cybersecurity services that can be integrated into a PCI compliance program, including managed logging and monitoring, identity and access system implementation, vulnerability scanning, and system configuration and patching.

Training and Awareness:

• QSAs offer training programs to educate employees about PCI DSS requirements and the importance of maintaining a secure environment for credit and debit data.
• These programs help to foster a culture of security awareness within the organization, ensuring that all staff members understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting sensitive information.

Customized Solutions Validation and Reporting:

• Recognizing that each organization has unique security needs, QSAs provide tailored solutions that address specific compliance challenges. This may involve developing custom security controls, policies, and procedures that align with the organization's business processes and risk profile.

Validation and Reporting:

• As a PCI SSC-certified QSA firm, RSM can conduct a required annual assessment to ensure that the organization is fully compliant with PCI DSS.
• We prepare a Report on Compliance (RoC) and an Attestation of Compliance (AoC), which are submitted to the acquiring bank or payment card brand as proof of compliance.