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PCI-DSS Compliance Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) in financial services organizations, covering all 12 PCI-DSS requirements and associated controls.

PCI-DSS Compliance Audit Checklist

by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

The PCI-DSS Compliance Audit Checklist is an essential tool for financial services organizations to ensure they meet the stringent requirements of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This comprehensive checklist helps auditors and security professionals systematically evaluate and verify the implementation of critical security controls, protecting sensitive cardholder data and maintaining compliance with industry regulations. By utilizing this checklist, businesses can identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding customer information in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

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Industry

Financial Services

Standard

PCI DSS - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard

Workspaces

Corporate offices
IT departments
Data Centers

Occupations

Internal Auditor
IT Security Specialist
Compliance Officer
Risk Manager
Information Security Analyst
1
Is cardholder data encrypted in transit and at rest?
2
Are access controls implemented for all systems handling cardholder data?
3
What is the frequency of vulnerability scans performed on the systems?
Min: 1
Target: Monthly
Max: 31
4
Is there an incident response plan in place for data breaches?
5
Provide documentation or evidence of security training for staff handling cardholder data.
6
Is the firewall configuration reviewed regularly?
7
How many alerts were generated by the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) in the last month?
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 1000
8
Is there a policy in place for the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)?
9
Document any findings from the last network security audit.
10
Is network segmentation implemented to protect cardholder data?
11
Are cardholder data storage practices compliant with PCI-DSS requirements?
12
Is there a documented data retention policy in place?
13
How often is cardholder data deleted after it is no longer needed?
Min: 1
Target: Monthly
Max: 12
14
Provide details of training records for staff handling cardholder data.
15
Is cardholder data encrypted when stored?
16
How frequently are user access rights reviewed?
17
Is two-factor authentication implemented for accessing sensitive systems?
18
What is the policy for deleting inactive user accounts?
Min: 0
Target: 90
Max: 365
19
Provide documentation related to the organization's access control policy.
20
Is role-based access control implemented for sensitive data access?
21
How often is the incident response plan tested?
22
Is all incident documentation complete and accurate?
23
What is the average time taken to respond to incidents?
Min: 1
Target: 30
Max: 1440
24
Document the findings from the last post-incident review.
25
Are incidents categorized appropriately during the incident management process?

FAQs

This checklist is designed for internal auditors, IT security professionals, compliance officers, and third-party assessors responsible for evaluating PCI-DSS compliance in financial services organizations.

PCI-DSS compliance audits should be conducted at least annually, with ongoing monitoring and assessments throughout the year to maintain continuous compliance.

The checklist covers all 12 PCI-DSS requirements, including network security, cardholder data protection, vulnerability management, access control, monitoring and testing, and information security policies.

Yes, the checklist can be tailored to address unique organizational structures, technologies, and processes while ensuring all PCI-DSS requirements are met.

By systematically reviewing and validating PCI-DSS controls, the checklist helps organizations identify and address potential vulnerabilities, thereby strengthening their overall data security posture and reducing the risk of data breaches.

Benefits of PCI-DSS Compliance Audit Checklist

Ensures comprehensive coverage of all PCI-DSS requirements

Streamlines the audit process and improves efficiency

Helps identify security gaps and areas for improvement

Facilitates consistent and standardized assessments across the organization

Supports ongoing compliance monitoring and maintenance