Did you know that the total value of losses due to fraudulent card payments worldwide – including both credit and debit cards – is expected to reach $43 billion by 2028?
That’s an astronomical number, and businesses accepting card payments must take security seriously to avoid falling victim to fraud. If your SaaS company handles payment card data, understanding and implementing PCI DSS controls is essential – not just for compliance but for protecting your customers, reputation, and bottom line.
In this article, we’ll break down PCI DSS controls, explain why they matter, and guide you on implementing them effectively – without getting lost in technical jargon.
PCI DSS: A Quick Recap
Before we dive into the controls, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This set of security requirements was established by major credit card companies (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Financial Services, and JCB) to ensure businesses take the necessary measures to protect cardholder data and maintain a secure cardholder data environment.
Not sure if your organization needs to comply? Here’s who must follow PCI DSS requirements:
- Any business that processes, stores, or transmits payment card data.
- SaaS companies offering payment solutions, subscriptions, or integrations that handle transactions.
- Third-party service providers supporting businesses that process payments.
Simply put, if your SaaS company stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data – even indirectly – you must comply with PCI DSS. Although not mandated by law, PCI DSS compliance consists of standards agreed upon by payment card brands, banks, and payment processors and is, understandably, not taken lightly.
Compliance with this data security standard isn’t just recommended – it’s essential for securing payment data and avoiding fines, penalties, or, worse, data breaches that could cost you customers and trust.
Understanding PCI DSS Controls
So, what exactly are PCI DSS controls?
PCI DSS controls are security measures your business must implement to secure cardholder data. They are far more than just suggestions – they form the foundation of PCI DSS compliance.
These controls are broken down into 12 core requirements, organized under six key control objectives. Each objective focuses on a different aspect of payment security, from building a secure network to maintaining an information security policy. Before diving into the key objectives of these controls, let’s take a closer look at why they matter in the first place.
Why PCI DSS Controls are a Big Deal
Implementing PCI DSS controls is about so much more than just making sure those compliance requirements are fulfilled – it’s about taking a proactive approach to protecting your business and customers. Here’s why these controls matter:
- Avoid Costly Data Breaches: A breach can cost millions in fines and lawsuits, not to mention cause irreparable damage to customer and stakeholder trust.
- Enhance Customer Trust: A responsible, compliant business signals reliability and industry-approved security to users, enhancing credibility.
- Prevent Fines and Penalties: Non-compliance can result in seriously hefty fines from payment processors and regulatory bodies.
- Improve Internal Security: PCI DSS helps protect cardholder data; however, a major plus is that it also strengthens data security measures, improving overall security posture.
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Key Elements of PCI DSS Controls
PCI DSS organizes its 12 high-level security requirements into six key control objectives. These PCI DSS requirements are all critical security controls that must be implemented to effectively protect credit card data. Additionally, maintaining these 12 requirements is a prerequisite for becoming (and staying) compliant.
The six control objectives, along with their corresponding requirements, can be seen in the table below:
| CONTROL OBJECTIVE | SECURITY REQUIREMENTS |
| 1. Build and maintain a secure network to ban unauthorized access to cardholder data. | Install the relevant web filters or firewalls to protect cardholder data. Update and change all default security settings of configurations. |
| 2. Protect cardholder data (CHD) if stored locally or transmitted to a remote server or service provider. | Safeguard company servers or networks that come into contact with CHD. Use encryption when transmitting CHD across public networks. |
| 3. Create and maintain a vulnerability management program that includes security procedures, policies, internal controls, and penetration testing. | Install and manage up-to-date antivirus and malware software. Use secure protocols in all systems and applications. |
| 4. Implement strong access control measures. | Restrict access to cardholder data on a need-to-know basis. Identify and authenticate access to system components (e.g., multi-factor authentication). |
| 5. Continuously monitor and test physical and wireless networks to find and remediate vulnerabilities. | Limit physical access to cardholder data through physical hardware and devices. Monitor all access to network resources and especially cardholder data. |
| 6. Maintain a strong information security policy and inform employees about their responsibilities to protect CHD. | Evaluate and test the effectiveness of existing security systems and processes. Maintain a policy that addresses information security. |
Want a deeper dive into these requirements? Check out this PCI DSS Compliance Checklist to make sure your business is on the right track.
Implementing PCI DSS Controls
For many SaaS companies – whether a startup or an established scale-up – putting these controls into practice can feel overwhelming. The key is to take a structured approach (and remember to breathe!). Here’s how:
1. Assess Your Environment
First, understand where and how you handle payment data:
- Identify all systems, applications, and third-party vendors that touch cardholder data.
- Determine your PCI DSS compliance level (this depends on transaction volume). Depending on the merchant level, the PCI DSS may require you to take a self-assessment questionnaire (SAC) or an on-site audit (Report on Compliance).
2. Conduct a Gap Analysis
Compare your current security posture with PCI DSS requirements to identify any gaps. This helps you prioritize what needs fixing first.
3. Remediation & Implementation
- Fix security vulnerabilities found in your gap analysis.
- Implement security policies, encrypt stored data, and restrict access.
4. Documentation & Evidence Collection
Successfully navigating PCI DSS audits and achieving compliance requires thorough compliance documentation.
You’ll need to maintain:
- Network security policies
- Access control logs
- System security configurations
- Employee security training records
5. Regular Training & Awareness
PCI DSS isn’t just an IT concern – it involves every employee handling payment data. Conduct regular security awareness training so your team understands compliance requirements and exactly what’s expected of them.
PCI DSS Controls: Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Even with a structured approach, some controls are trickier than others. Below are some of the most common challenges SaaS companies face and how to tackle them:
Challenge 1: Protecting PCI Data Elements
Cardholder data includes sensitive information like card numbers, expiration dates, and CVVs. PCI DSS requires this data to be encrypted or tokenized.
💡 Solution: Use end-to-end encryption and tokenization to keep data secure without storing raw cardholder data.
Challenge 2: Implementing PCI DSS Compensating Controls
Sometimes, businesses can’t meet specific PCI DSS requirements due to technical or business constraints. In these cases, it’s possible to use compensating controls.
💡 Solution: Work with GRC experts who can guide you in implementing alternative security measures that offer equal or greater protection.
Compliance Automation: Your New Best Friend
PCI DSS compliance can be time-consuming and resource-intensive – not to mention a major headache. But the good news? It doesn’t have to be. Compliance automation platforms can streamline the entire process, helping your business stay compliant without having to do the heavy lifting yourself.
How Scytale Can Help
With Scytale’s powerful compliance automation features and a dedicated team of GRC experts to guide you through your compliance journey and help you navigate tricky requirements, your organization can achieve and maintain PCI DSS compliance effortlessly – saving valuable time and resources along the way.
From automated evidence collection, user access reviews, and vendor risk management to multi-framework cross-mapping, audit management, and continuous compliance, we’ve got you covered.
Instead of manually tracking compliance (yawn, we know!), let Scytale take the hassle out of compliance and handle it so your team can focus on what matters most – growing your business and creating value for your customers.
Tackling PCI DSS Controls with Confidence
Navigating PCI DSS controls might seem complex, but it’s a must for any SaaS company handling payment data – regardless of company size, transaction volume, or whether you outsource payments to a third-party provider. By breaking down PCI DSS controls into manageable steps and leveraging automation, you can keep payments flowing smoothly (and securely!), simplify PCI DSS compliance, strengthen your security posture, and gain a competitive edge – without the unnecessary stress.
FAQs
What are PCI data elements and why do they matter?
PCI data elements include sensitive cardholder information like the Primary Account Number (PAN), cardholder name, expiration date, and security codes. Protecting these elements is crucial to prevent fraud, ensure compliance, and safeguard customer truste significant changes in payment systems, business processes, or security threats. Continuous monitoring ensures ongoing compliance and protection against evolving cyber risks.
What happens if you don’t comply with PCI DSS requirements?
Non-compliance can result in hefty fines, security breaches, loss of payment processing privileges, and reputational damage. Businesses may also face legal consequences and customer trust issues, making compliance absolutely essential for financial and operational stability.
How often should PCI DSS controls be reviewed and updated?
PCI DSS controls should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis – at least annually or whenever there are significant changes in payment systems, business processes, or security threats. Continuous monitoring ensures ongoing compliance and protection against evolving cyber risks.
