PCI DSS CERTIFICATION

What Is PCI DSS?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a global information security standard for any organisation that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data. It is developed and maintained by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), the body founded by the major card brands (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB). PCI DSS is a compliance standard, not an ISO certification. The current version is PCI DSS v4.0.1, published in June 2024. Organisations demonstrate compliance through an Attestation of Compliance (AOC), supported either by a Report on Compliance (ROC) completed with a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) or by a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), with validation performed annually.

PCI DSS Requirements

PCI DSS v4.0.1 is built around 12 core requirements, grouped under six control objectives:

• Install and maintain network security controls.
• Apply secure configurations to all system components.
• Protect stored account data.
• Protect cardholder data with strong cryptography during transmission over open, public networks.
• Protect all systems and networks from malicious software.
• Develop and maintain secure systems and software.
• Restrict access to system components and cardholder data by business need to know.
• Identify users and authenticate access to system components.
• Restrict physical access to cardholder data.
• Log and monitor all access to system components and cardholder data.
• Test the security of systems and networks regularly.
• Support information security with organisational policies and programs.

Achieve PCI DSS certification with Univate Global. Book a free scoping consultation today. Available in 9 markets.

Benefits of PCI DSS

• Protects cardholder data and reduces the risk of breaches, fraud, and financial penalties.
• Meets the compliance obligations imposed by acquiring banks and the major card schemes.
• Builds customer and partner trust by demonstrating a validated security posture.
• Strengthens internal controls across network security, encryption, access management, and monitoring.
• Provides a clear, auditable framework through the ROC, SAQ, and Attestation of Compliance.
• Supports continuous security through the version 4.0.1 emphasis on ongoing, business-as-usual processes.

PCI DSS in 9 Markets

Univate Global supports PCI DSS compliance across nine markets, aligned to local payment and card-scheme requirements:

• UAE: supports card issuers, acquirers, fintechs, and merchants under Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) payment oversight.
• Saudi Arabia: aligns cardholder-data protection with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Cyber Security Framework.
• Philippines: supports payment processors and issuers regulated by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
• South Africa: meets card-scheme mandates alongside privacy obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
• USA: satisfies card-brand and acquiring-bank rules and supports state breach-notification expectations.
• Singapore: aligns with payment-security expectations under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Technology Risk Management guidelines.
• Malaysia: supports payment-card data protection under Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) RMiT policy.
• Vietnam: supports card issuers and acquirers operating under State Bank of Vietnam oversight.
• India: supports adoption driven by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) payment-security directions and card-network mandates.

PCI DSS Implementation Process

Univate Global follows a phased approach to PCI DSS compliance:

1. Scoping and gap analysis of the cardholder data environment against PCI DSS v4.0.1.
2. Determination of the applicable validation level and SAQ type, or ROC scope.
3. Remediation of gaps across network security, encryption, access control, and monitoring.
4. Development of policies, procedures, and evidence mapped to the 12 requirements.
5. Internal testing, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing.
6. Formal assessment and completion of the Report on Compliance or Self-Assessment Questionnaire.
7. Attestation of Compliance and ongoing annual validation with continuous monitoring.

Get a fixed-fee PCI DSS implementation quote from Univate. No hidden costs. Speak to a consultant in your market today.

Why Univate Global for PCI DSS?

Univate Global supports organisations through every stage of PCI DSS compliance, from initial scoping to attestation and annual revalidation. Our security specialists work across payments, banking, and technology to align your cardholder data environment with PCI DSS v4.0.1. We provide practical remediation guidance, evidence preparation, and readiness support for QSA assessments, together with continuous monitoring to help maintain compliance year round. Engagements are structured, transparent, and tailored to your validation level and business needs.

Univate Global delivers ISO certifications, data privacy compliance, and cybersecurity frameworks across 9 markets. Our consultants help organisations achieve compliance and certification with confidence.