Protect Payment Card Data and Meet Card Brand and Acquirer Requirements
Any organization that stores, processes, or transmits payment card data, or that can affect the security of that data, is expected to meet the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Failure to do so can lead to penalties from acquirers, loss of the ability to accept cards, and serious exposure if a breach occurs.
ConsultHive provides PCI DSS consulting support to help merchants, payment service providers, and technology companies define their scope, assess gaps, implement controls, and prepare for assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor or for completion of a Self-Assessment Questionnaire.
Our approach focuses on cardholder data environment scoping, network segmentation, the twelve requirement areas of PCI DSS v4.x, evidence preparation, and coordination with your acquirer, assessor, and Approved Scanning Vendor.
Whether you are accepting cards for the first time, moving from an earlier version of the standard, or responding to a request from a customer or acquirer, we help establish a structured and practical path.
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What Is PCI DSS?
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a security standard for organizations that handle payment card data. It is maintained by the PCI Security Standards Council, which was formed by the major card brands, and it is enforced through the contracts that merchants and service providers have with acquirers and card brands.
The standard has twelve principal requirements grouped under six goals: build and maintain a secure network and systems, protect account data, maintain a vulnerability management programme, implement strong access control measures, regularly monitor and test networks, and maintain an information security policy.
The current version is PCI DSS v4.0.1. Version 3.2.1 was retired in March 2024, and the new requirements of version 4.0 that were future-dated became mandatory on 31 March 2025.
PCI DSS applies to the cardholder data environment, which includes the people, processes, and technology that store, process, or transmit cardholder data or sensitive authentication data, as well as systems connected to them.
There is no certificate issued by the PCI Security Standards Council to merchants or service providers. Compliance is validated through a Report on Compliance by a Qualified Security Assessor or through a Self-Assessment Questionnaire, followed by an Attestation of Compliance, and is reported to the acquirer or card brand.
Our PCI DSS Services
1. PCI DSS Scoping and Data Flow Mapping
Identify where cardholder data is stored, processed, and transmitted, map the data flows, and define the systems, networks, people, and third parties in scope.
Accurate scoping is the most important step, since it determines the effort and cost of everything that follows.
2. Scope Reduction Advice
Review options to reduce the cardholder data environment, such as tokenization, point-to-point encryption, hosted payment pages, and outsourcing to validated service providers.
3. Validation Type Determination
Help determine whether your organization needs a Self-Assessment Questionnaire, which version applies, or a Report on Compliance, based on your merchant or service provider level and your acquirer’s requirements.
4. PCI DSS Gap Assessment
Assess your current controls and documentation against the requirements of PCI DSS v4.x that apply to your scope.
The assessment results in a gap report and a prioritized remediation plan.
5. Network Segmentation and Architecture Review
Review network architecture, segmentation, firewall rules, and secure configuration, and advise on changes to isolate the cardholder data environment.
6. Policies, Procedures and Documentation
Prepare or update the information security policy, operational procedures, risk assessments, incident response plan, and other documents required by the standard.
7. Technical Control Implementation Support
Support implementation of controls such as encryption, key management, multi-factor authentication, logging and monitoring, vulnerability management, secure development, and access control.
8. Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing Coordination
Coordinate quarterly external vulnerability scans by an Approved Scanning Vendor, internal scans, and penetration testing, and support remediation of findings.
Scans and tests are performed by qualified providers where the standard requires.
9. Third-Party Service Provider Management
Establish a process to manage the PCI DSS status of service providers, define responsibility matrices, and obtain evidence of their compliance.
10. Security Awareness Training
Provide security awareness and role-based training for staff, developers, administrators, and customer-facing teams.
11. Assessment Support and Ongoing Compliance
Support preparation for the Qualified Security Assessor or Self-Assessment Questionnaire, collection of evidence, and remediation of findings, and help maintain compliance throughout the year.
The Report on Compliance is prepared by the assessor, and ConsultHive does not validate its own clients’ compliance.
Key Benefits of PCI DSS Compliance
A structured PCI DSS programme reduces the risk of card data breaches and helps keep payment acceptance running smoothly.
• Protect Cardholder Data: Reduce the risk of theft and misuse of payment card information.
• Meet Acquirer and Card Brand Requirements: Satisfy the contractual obligation to validate compliance.
• Reduce Breach Impact: Limit the exposure and cost if an incident occurs.
• Reduce Scope and Cost: Focus controls on a smaller, better-defined environment.
• Build Customer Trust: Show customers and partners that card data is protected.
• Support Enterprise Sales: Meet the requirements of merchants and platforms that expect service providers to be compliant.
• Strengthen Security Overall: Improve general controls that also support ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, and the DPDP Act.
PCI DSS Requirement Areas Covered
A PCI DSS assessment covers the twelve principal requirements of version 4.x, depending on the scope.
| Requirement | Key Focus |
| 1. Network security controls | Install and maintain firewalls and network controls, segmentation |
| 2. Secure configurations | Apply secure configurations to all system components, remove defaults |
| 3. Protect stored account data | Minimize storage, retention, masking, strong cryptography |
| 4. Protect data in transit | Strong cryptography when transmitting card data over open networks |
| 5. Malicious software protection | Protect systems from malware and keep protections active |
| 6. Secure systems and software | Secure development, patching, web application protection |
| 7. Restrict access by need to know | Limit access to system components and cardholder data |
| 8. Identify users and authenticate access | Unique IDs, strong authentication, multi-factor authentication |
| 9. Restrict physical access | Control physical access to cardholder data and systems |
| 10. Log and monitor access | Log, review, and retain audit trails and detect anomalies |
| 11. Test security regularly | Vulnerability scans, penetration testing, change detection |
| 12. Support information security with policies | Policies, risk assessment, awareness, incident response, third-party management |
The requirements and testing procedures that apply depend on your scope, role, and validation type.
Our PCI DSS Compliance Process
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Requirement Review
Understand how you accept or process card payments, your acquirer’s requirements, and your merchant or service provider level.
Step 2: Scoping and Data Flow Mapping
Identify the cardholder data environment and consider scope reduction options.
Step 3: Gap Assessment
Assess current controls and documentation against the requirements and the selected validation type.
Step 4: Remediation Planning
Prepare a prioritized action plan with owners and timelines.
Step 5: Control Implementation and Documentation
Support implementation of technical and organizational controls and the preparation of policies and evidence.
Step 6: Scanning, Testing and Pre-Assessment Review
Coordinate vulnerability scans and penetration testing and carry out a pre-assessment review of evidence.
Step 7: Formal Assessment or Self-Assessment
Support the Qualified Security Assessor’s assessment or the completion of the Self-Assessment Questionnaire and the Attestation of Compliance.
Step 8: Ongoing Compliance
Maintain controls throughout the year, track recurring tasks such as scans and reviews, and prepare for annual revalidation.
What Is Included in a PCI DSS Engagement?
Depending on the agreed scope, deliverables may include:
• PCI DSS scope statement, data flow diagrams, and system inventory.
• Gap assessment report with a prioritized remediation plan.
• Network segmentation review and recommendations.
• Policies, procedures, and risk assessment documentation.
• Incident response plan and testing records.
• Responsibility matrix for third-party service providers.
• Evidence checklist mapped to the requirements.
• Security awareness training materials and sessions.
• Coordination of scans and penetration tests.
• Support for the Self-Assessment Questionnaire or Report on Compliance.
The compliance validation itself is performed by the assessor or completed by the entity itself and accepted by the acquirer or card brand.
PCI DSS Standards and Programme Documents
PCI DSS work refers to documents published by the PCI Security Standards Council and requirements of acquirers and card brands.
| Document | Application |
| PCI DSS v4.0.1 | Requirements and testing procedures for protecting account data |
| Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) | Validation forms for eligible merchants and service providers |
| Report on Compliance and Attestation of Compliance | Assessment report and attestation completed with a Qualified Security Assessor |
| Approved Scanning Vendor programme | Quarterly external vulnerability scans |
| PCI Secure Software Standard and PCI PIN Security | Related standards for payment software and PIN processing, where applicable |
The applicable version, validation type, and deadlines should be confirmed with your acquirer or the card brand.
PCI DSS Requirements in India
PCI DSS is a contractual requirement and not a law, but it is widely required of Indian merchants, payment gateways, banks, fintech companies, and outsourcing providers that handle card data. Acquiring banks and card brands decide the merchant levels and validation requirements.
In India, payment security is also shaped by regulation of the Reserve Bank of India, including its rules on payment aggregators, card data storage, and tokenization, which apply alongside PCI DSS.
Organizations should confirm with their acquirer or bank which validation applies to them and what regulatory requirements are relevant to their business.
PCI DSS preparation helps you validate compliance but does not by itself make an organization compliant, and compliance must be maintained continuously.
Who Needs PCI DSS Services?
Any organization involved with payment card data should assess its PCI DSS obligations.
• Merchants and E-Commerce Businesses: Retailers, travel, hospitality, and online platforms that accept card payments.
• Payment Gateways and Aggregators: Entities that process or transmit card data for merchants.
• Banks and Financial Institutions: Issuers, acquirers, and processors with card programmes.
• Fintech and Technology Companies: Software and platform providers whose systems can affect card data security.
• BPO and Outsourcing Providers: Call centres and service providers handling card data for clients.
Why Choose ConsultHive for PCI DSS Consulting?
Structured Compliance Approach
Our approach follows the twelve requirements and your validation type, so that remediation work is aimed at what the assessor will test.
Focus on Scope Reduction
We help you reduce the cardholder data environment where possible, which lowers cost and risk.
Practical Control Implementation
We design controls and documentation around how your systems and teams operate.
Assessment Preparation
A pre-assessment review helps you correct evidence gaps before the assessor arrives.
Integrated Compliance Support
ConsultHive also supports ISO/IEC 27001, SOC reports, DPDP Act compliance, and cyber incident reporting, which helps you reuse controls across frameworks.
Frequently Asked Questions About PCI DSS
1. What is PCI DSS?
PCI DSS is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. It sets security requirements for organizations that store, process, or transmit payment card data.
2. Is there a PCI DSS certificate?
The PCI Security Standards Council does not issue certificates to merchants or service providers. Compliance is validated through a Report on Compliance or a Self-Assessment Questionnaire with an Attestation of Compliance, which is submitted as your acquirer or card brand requires. Assessors may issue their own confirmation letters.
3. Which version of PCI DSS is current?
Version 4.0.1 is current. Version 3.2.1 was retired in March 2024, and the future-dated requirements of version 4.0 became mandatory on 31 March 2025.
4. Who needs a Qualified Security Assessor?
It depends on your merchant or service provider level and your acquirer or card brand. Larger organizations and many service providers need a Report on Compliance from a Qualified Security Assessor, while smaller merchants can often use a Self-Assessment Questionnaire.
5. What is the cardholder data environment?
It is the set of people, processes, and technology that store, process, or transmit cardholder data or sensitive authentication data, and the systems connected to them.
6. Can we reduce our PCI DSS scope?
Often yes. Using tokenization, point-to-point encryption, hosted payment pages, or validated service providers can reduce the systems and controls in scope. The right option depends on your business model.
7. Does ConsultHive perform the assessment?
No. The assessment is performed by a Qualified Security Assessor or completed by the entity as a self-assessment. ConsultHive provides consulting and readiness support.
8. How long does PCI DSS compliance take?
The time depends on your scope, current security maturity, and the validation type. Small merchants with a limited scope can finish sooner than service providers with complex environments.
9. How often must we validate compliance?
Compliance is validated at least annually, with quarterly external vulnerability scans where required. Controls must operate continuously throughout the year.
10. How much does PCI DSS consulting cost in India?
The cost depends on your scope, number of systems and locations, validation type, and current maturity. The assessor’s and scanning vendor’s fees are separate.
Contact ConsultHive with your organization details to request a quotation.
Secure Cardholder Data with ConsultHive
Define your scope, close control gaps, and prepare for PCI DSS validation with ConsultHive.
Our PCI DSS consulting approach helps organizations protect payment card data and satisfy the expectations of acquirers, card brands, and customers.
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