Having Payment Security Isn’t PCI DSS Compliance.
We help organisations understand their PCI DSS obligations, define and reduce their cardholder data environment, identify security gaps, strengthen payment controls, and prepare the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance — so protecting payment data becomes an operational discipline, not just a checklist.
Does PCI DSS apply to you?
If you touch, store, or transmit card data — even through a processor — PCI DSS obligations don’t disappear. A few quick questions, one clear answer.
Which best describes your business?
- Sector—
- Card data handling—
- Transaction volume—
- Processor model—
- Prior assessment—
What PCI DSS non-compliance can actually cost.
PCI DSS non-compliance does not result in a government fine. Financial exposure typically comes through acquiring banks and payment card networks, with additional costs arising from investigations, remediation and potential disruption to card-processing capabilities.
A commonly cited escalation structure is approximately $5,000–$10,000/month for the first 3 months, $25,000–$50,000/month for months 4–6, and $50,000–$100,000+/month from month 7 onward.
- Immediate suspected card-data compromises should be reported promptly through the applicable acquiring bank and card-network processes
- Investigate forensic investigation and incident-response activities may be required to determine the scope and impact of a compromise
- Remediate contain the compromise, address security gaps and satisfy applicable card-network and acquiring-bank requirements
Beyond network or acquiring-bank penalties, a card-data breach can create significant forensic investigation, card reissuance and remediation costs. Serious compromises can also put an organisation’s ability to process payment cards at risk. PCI DSS itself does not create a management personal-liability regime; consequences are primarily contractual, financial and operational.
Most businesses don’t fail a PCI audit because they’re careless with cards. They fail because “we use Stripe” was never the same as being PCI compliant.
If you touch, store, or transmit card data — even through a processor — PCI DSS obligations don’t disappear.
Using a payment processor can reduce your PCI scope, but it does not automatically remove your PCI DSS responsibilities. The real gap is understanding where cardholder data enters your environment, what remains in scope, which controls you are responsible for, and whether you can demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements.
A Structured Approach to PCI DSS Readiness.
We begin by assessing where card data actually flows through your systems, identifying scope and control gaps, and prioritizing remediation. From network segmentation to encryption, we help you build an environment that is organized, defensible, and ready for your SAQ or Report on Compliance.
Everything You Need for PCI DSS Readiness.
Every engagement produces practical, usable deliverables mapped to PCI DSS requirements — from scope assessment and SAQ determination to network security, vulnerability testing, incident response and ROC support.
PCI DSS Scope Assessment
Cardholder data flows mapped across systems, networks, applications and third parties to determine what actually falls within PCI DSS scope.
SAQ Determination
Assessment of your payment environment to identify the appropriate Self-Assessment Questionnaire for your merchant level and applicable PCI DSS requirements.
Network Segmentation Review
Review of network boundaries and segmentation controls designed to isolate the cardholder data environment and limit unnecessary access.
Cardholder Data Encryption Implementation
Encryption controls reviewed and implemented to protect cardholder data during storage and transmission across the applicable environment.
Quarterly Vulnerability Scanning Setup
Quarterly external vulnerability scanning configured through an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) where required by your PCI DSS obligations.
Annual Penetration Testing
Annual penetration testing of the applicable systems and network components to identify exploitable weaknesses and validate security controls.
Access Control & Logging
Access controls, authentication and logging reviewed around the cardholder data environment to support least privilege, accountability and monitoring.
Incident Response Plan
A practical incident-response workflow for card-data compromises, including escalation, investigation and applicable card-brand notification requirements.
Report on Compliance (ROC) Support
Readiness and evidence support for merchants requiring a full Report on Compliance, rather than completing an SAQ alone.
Security work that shows up in the numbers.
Every engagement is measured, not just delivered.
The Right PCI DSS Partner Makes All the Difference.
| Criteria |
// Recommended
BPDoxS
|
// In-house In-house team | // Vendor Typical vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCI DSS Expertise |
Practical PCI DSS expertise across scope, controls, testing, documentation and audit-readiness requirements
|
Strong knowledge of internal payment systems, but specialist PCI DSS expertise may depend on available resources
|
Specialist PCI DSS providers can offer strong compliance expertise within their defined service scope
|
| PCI DSS Scope Assessment |
Maps payment flows, cardholder data, systems, networks and third parties to establish the actual PCI DSS scope
|
Direct visibility into internal payment environments provides strong knowledge of systems and data flows
|
Can assess defined environments, but may not have visibility across the client's complete payment ecosystem
|
| Technical Control Implementation |
Connects PCI DSS requirements to network segmentation, encryption, access control, logging and vulnerability management
|
Strongest control over internal infrastructure and ability to implement technical changes directly
|
Technical controls can be implemented effectively, but responsibility is often limited to the vendor's specific service
|
| Vulnerability & Penetration Testing |
Coordinates vulnerability scanning and penetration-testing requirements with the wider PCI DSS compliance program
|
Can manage testing internally, but specialist testing expertise and independent validation may require additional resources
|
Security testing specialists can provide strong scanning and penetration-testing capabilities within the engagement scope
|
| Evidence & Audit Readiness |
Organises evidence, control documentation and compliance records for SAQ completion or ROC preparation
|
Owns direct access to operational evidence, system records and internal control owners
|
Can provide evidence for its own services, but cannot usually produce evidence for the client's complete PCI environment
|
| Ongoing PCI DSS Readiness |
Maintains an integrated view of scope, controls, testing, evidence and changing payment environments across the compliance cycle
|
Best positioned to maintain long-term PCI operations when dedicated ownership and resources are available
|
Recurring support is possible, but a typical vendor cannot own the merchant's complete PCI DSS posture across systems, people and payment providers
|
Independently recognized.
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Questions Worth Asking.
Everything you need to know before becoming PCI DSS-ready with confidence.
PCI DSS generally applies to organisations that store, process or transmit payment card account data, as well as organisations that can affect the security of the cardholder data environment. Using a payment processor does not automatically remove your responsibilities. Your actual PCI DSS scope depends on how payments are accepted, where card data flows, which systems are connected to the payment environment and which third parties are involved. We help determine your actual scope before deciding which compliance requirements apply.
No. Using a PCI-compliant payment processor can reduce your PCI DSS scope, but it does not automatically make your organisation compliant. Your own website, applications, networks, access controls, policies and payment processes may still fall within scope depending on how the integration works. We assess the payment flow and responsibilities between your organisation and its processor so you understand exactly what remains your responsibility.
A Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a PCI DSS validation document used by eligible merchants and service providers to assess applicable requirements. There are different SAQ types based on how your organisation accepts and handles payment cards. Choosing the right one requires understanding your payment channels, technology and cardholder data flows. We help determine the appropriate SAQ based on your actual environment rather than selecting one simply because it appears to be the shortest.
No. PCI DSS scope is not limited to systems that permanently store cardholder data. Systems and processes involved in transmitting or processing cardholder data can also be in scope, and connected systems may affect the security of the cardholder data environment. Organisations can often reduce scope by using properly designed payment solutions and segmentation, but those decisions need to be assessed and documented. We help identify where card data enters, moves through and leaves your environment.
Potentially, depending on your PCI DSS scope, implementation and validation requirements. PCI DSS includes requirements for vulnerability management and penetration testing, with specific testing expectations applying to relevant environments and circumstances. External vulnerability scanning may need to be performed by an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), where applicable. We help determine which testing requirements apply and establish the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance.
Not necessarily. An SAQ is a validation document, not a substitute for implementing the underlying PCI DSS requirements. Your organisation still needs the applicable security controls, policies, testing, monitoring and evidence required for its specific environment. Some merchants and service providers may also require a formal Report on Compliance (ROC) completed with the involvement of a Qualified Security Assessor. We help align your controls and evidence with the validation method that applies to your organisation.
Know what's in scope. Know what needs to change.
Start with a practical assessment of your payment flows, cardholder data environment and existing controls — then get a clear roadmap to reduce PCI DSS scope, close compliance gaps and build a payment-security program your organisation can actually maintain.
