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PCI ASV

Introduction

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) is a global organization that works to make sure the cardholder data is safe all over the world. People all over the world are affected by the work of the PCI Security Standards Council.

Accorian is a Payment Card Industry Approved Scanning Vendor (PCI ASV).

An Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) is an organization with a set of security services and tools to conduct external vulnerability scanning services to validate adherence with the external scanning requirements of PCI DSS Requirement.

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Top reason to use accorian?

Accorian is a PCI ASV. Approved Scanning Vendors, also known as ASV, are a PCI SSC-notified body that provides a variety of data security service providers to evaluate how well an organization's PCI DSS meets detailed scanning requirements.

Along with running ASV scans to check for compliance, Accorian can help your business streamline operations in this area by making suggestions for how to fix or make up for any vulnerabilities that are found. Our experts will also recommend best-in class vendors for all your security needs.

Accorian’s team of security experts aid clients in meeting the 11.2.2 requirement by conducting scans using approved tools and scanners to identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations associated to the external network hosts, web application and other internet facing technologies. The scans are non-disruptive in nature, and they do not conduct destructive testing such as Denial of Service, Buffer Overflow. Why do you need a PCI ASV

  • To meet the PCI DSS requirement 11.2.2
  • To identify and fix vulnerabilities in the network before they could be leveraged to carry out attacks
  • To regularly monitor and maintain the security posture of the external environment

What Does PCI DSS Mean?

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) are rules set by the PCI Security Standard Council (PCI SSC) about how things should be done. This rule applies to everyone who stores, processes, or sends data about cardholders. 

PCI DSS has become a standard around the world. PCI SCC is in charge of keeping the PCI DSS standard up to date and making sure it is followed. The precise requirements may differ depending on how involved an entity is in the payment process. 

What Is A PCI Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV)?

Approved Scanning Vendors, also known as ASV, is a PCI SSC-notified body that provides a variety of data security service providers to evaluate how well an organization's PCI DSS meets detailed scanning requirements.

Why Do You Need A PCI Security Scan By An ASV?

To comply with the PCI DSS standards, merchants and service providers are required to present a quarterly passing of PCI Security Scan by an ASV.

Requirements:

1

Conducting quarterly external network scans followed by re-scans to verify & ensure that all failing issues have been resolved

2

Conducting quarterly external scans and rescans via an ASV

3

Conducting internal and external scans and rescans after any significant change in the network.

4

The end company regularly needs to obtain this passing scan report every quarterly

Processes For PCI ASV Scanning

The PCI ASV external vulnerability scan goes through the following steps:

01

Scope Deduction

Our team aids clients with identification of their scope, and conduct host discovery scans to further detect unknown hosts or, shadow IT assets. Subsequently, our team conducts the following activities:

  • Live Host Discovery using ping, route tracing, and popular port scanning across a network range or a set of provided IP addresses
  • Fingerprinting of hosts
  • Scanning for open ports and fingerprinting services
  • Searching DNS records and conducting DNS lookups to further identify additional hosts
02

Vulnerability Scanning

Identification of security weaknesses, flaws & misconfigurations associated to the Operating System and Services based on probing, version identification, non-destructive exploitation using safe payloads, brute forcing of credentials, etc.

Additionally, we identify potential vulnerabilities based on version fingerprinting as well

03

Reporting and Fixing

The scanning activity yields issues and recommendations for mitigation. We provide clients with two reports – Executive & Technical Summary. The technical summary consists of the list of vulnerabilities, risk rating, pass/fail rating against PCI ASV requirements, description, and mitigation advisory.

04

Conflict Resolution

The client and ASV work together to identify solutions for screening results that are controversial. The client and ASV work together to write down and figure out what to do about screening results that are controversial. Our team of experts interface with clients to relay this information and facilitate remediation through detailed & targeted solutions.

05

Rescanning (If needed)

Rescans will keep happening until a productive scan is made that fixes all conflicts and exceptions.

06

Final Reporting

When there are no vulnerabilities found during the scans, a report that has been greenlighted by the PCI ASV is made. The document is sent to the client and issued to them safely.

How to Comply with PCI DSS in 4 steps

01

To meet all of the PCI compliance requirements, you need to follow the PCI-DSS version 3.2.1 documentation, which lists a total of 12 requirements and about 251 sub-requirements.

02

Find out what your organization needs to do to be compliant. According to what the PCI Council says, there are different types of businesses, and each has its own set of rules.

03

Find out what your organization needs to do to be compliant. According to what the PCI Council says, there are different types of businesses, and each has its own set of rules.

04

Complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire or Hire a PCI QSA.

Resources

Article

Mastering PCI Compliance: Key Challenges and Effective Solutions

Written By Kiran Murthy & Manisha Robbi II  "Compliance is the armor that shields data from harm." In today's digital landscape, the significance of this quote cannot be overstated. According to Statista, the global online payment fraud to e-commerce losses amounted to a staggering $41 billion in 2022. These alarming statistics are a stark reminder of the pressing need for robust data protection measures and strict adherence to PCI Compliance. What is PCI Compliance? The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a widely recognized security standard that aids businesses that manage, process, or store cardholder data to safeguard and ensure the security of sensitive payment card data. It encompasses various areas of concern, including network security, data encryption, access controls, vulnerability management, and ongoing monitoring. Common Challenges in Achieving PCI Compliance Implementing the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) can be complex, and businesses often encounter common challenges. Some of the frequently encountered challenges include: 1. Inadequate Scope DefinitionOne of the fundamental aspects of PCI DSS implementation is scoping, which is identifying, documenting, and securing all the systems, networks, and processes in storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data. Accurate scoping is crucial to avoid ineffective security controls and non-compliance.While the cardholder data environment (CDE) serves as a starting point, accurate scoping entails assessing the CDE, cardholder data flows, connected-to systems, and supporting components. The scope encompasses all system components that are part of or connected to the CDE, including individuals, processes, and technologies involved in storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data or sensitive authentication data.RecommendationTo establish an appropriate scope, organizations must critically evaluate their CDE, analyze data flows, collaborate with relevant stakeholders, document any exclusions, create a detailed scope document, and ensure periodic reviews and updates to align with evolving infrastructure and processes. This comprehensive approach ensures that the scope accurately reflects the systems, networks, processes, and individuals involved in storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data and remains aligned with the organization's changing landscape.2. Improper DocumentationProper documentation is essential for sustaining PCI DSS compliance. Organizations often face challenges in adequately documenting their policies, procedures, network diagrams, system configurations, and security controls. Incomplete or outdated documentation can lead to non-compliance and difficulties during audits.RecommendationTo mitigate improper documentation in PCI DSS compliance, organizations should implement clear documentation standards, assign responsibility for documentation management, ensure regular reviews and updates, use a centralized documentation system, provide training to employees, and conduct internal audits to identify and address gaps or deficiencies. These measures help ensure accurate and up-to-date documentation, reducing non-compliance risk and facilitating smoother audits.3. Challenges in Network SegmentationInadequate network segmentation can expose cardholder data to unnecessary risks, making it easier for unauthorized individuals to gain access. Understanding the intricate data flows within the network is crucial, especially in large organizations, but it can also be daunting. A significant challenge lies in striking the right balance between security and functionality. Organizations must effectively isolate cardholder data while maintaining critical communication paths, keeping pace with the dynamic nature of network environments, and ensuring that network segmentation remains up to date with changes in systems and components, which can be a persistent challenge that requires continuous attention and effort.RecommendationTo demonstrate the effectiveness of network segmentation to auditors and assessors, organizations should focus on comprehensive documentation, proper configuration, and validation. Overcoming these challenges requires expertise in network security, meticulous planning, continuous monitoring, and regular assurance to ensure that the implemented network segmentation meets PCI DSS compliance requirements. By prioritizing these measures, organizations can provide evidence of their network segmentation's efficacy and enhance their overall security posture.4. Insufficient Adherence to Password ProtocolsInsufficient adherence to password protocols...

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Article

PCIDSS 4.0 from PCIDSS 3.2.1- Part 1

PCI-DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This standard first came into the picture in 2004, and it was formed by Visa, MasterCard, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, and American Express. It is governed by PCI SSC, i.e., Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. Applicability- PCI-DSS applies to companies/organization which accepts, store, process and/or transmits cardholder data. When will the new version PCIDSS v4.0 take effect? Until March 31, 2024, PCI assessments will choose the version (v3.2.1 or v4.0) for conducting the assessment. After this date, v3.2.1 will be retired, and v4.0 will become the singular standard. PCI-DSS v4.0 New Requirements The new version contains a substantial number of new requirements—64 in total. When using v4.0, only 13 out of 64 are mandatory. Until March 2025 additional 51 remain “best practices”; after the retirement of v3.2.1, it will be mandatory to complete a PCI DSS assessment. Changes in the Security Objective of PCI-DSS v4.0? PCI-DSS v3.2.1 PCI-DSS v4.0 Build and Maintain Secure Network and Systems Build and Maintain Secure Network and Systems Protect Card Holder Data Protect Account Data Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program Implement Strong Access Control Measures Implement Strong Access Control Measures Regularly Monitor and Test Networks Regularly Monitor and Test Networks Maintain an Information Security Policy Maintain an Information Security Policy Change in the Names of 12 PCI-DSS v4.0 Requirements PCI-DSS v3.2.1 PCI-DSS v4.0 Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data Install and maintain Network Security Control Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters Apply secure configuration to all system components Protect stored cardholder data Protect stored account data Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks Protect cardholder data with strong cryptography during transmission over open public networks Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs Protect all systems and network from malicious software Develop and maintain secure systems and applications Develop and maintain secure systems and software Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know Restrict access to system components and cardholder data by business need to know Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access Identify users and authenticate access to system component Restrict physical access to cardholder data Restrict physical access to cardholder data Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data Log and monitor all access to system component and cardholder data Regularly test security systems and processes Test security systems and networks regularly Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel Support information security with organizational policies and programs Type of Changes Change Type Description Evolving Requirements This change is to make sure that the standard is up to date with emerging threats, technologies and changes in the Payment industry. Clarification or Guidance Updated wording, explanation, definition, and guidance to increase understanding. Structure or Format Reorganization of content. Two Approaches New flexibility has been provided for organizations to satisfy the PCI DSS security objectives. The two distinct techniques for PCI DSS evaluations that will be permitted under version 4.0 demonstrate this flexibility: Defined Approach- The organization is expected to comply with the stated requirements, and assessors will conduct testing procedures as mentioned within the standard.To fill gaps, compensating controls are implemented. This has been consistent since the release of PCI-DSS v3.0. Customized Approach- There is no written testing procedure to be followed by assessors, and the testing procedure will be developed by the assessor to validate the solution the entity has implemented. This approach is focused on “risk mature...

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Article

Adobe's Common Controls Framework of Industry-acclaimed security standards

Today’s world is an ever-changing scenario with changes to the technology sector happening more frequently than ever due to emerging technologies. The case is quite similar in the field of Cyber Security. There are a few industry-acclaimed cybersecurity standards for governing the processes and execution of these standards. These standards are usually built upon a framework of control objectives that need to be implemented by the organizations to comply with these standards. Compliance is measured in terms of control objectives meeting the compliance criteria and also other regulatory and statutory criteria. Since most of these Cybersecurity standards speak of similar control objectives or lay emphasis on similar control areas, it is advisable to have the ‘Adobe’s Common Control Framework’, which means that if we are able to comply with a single requirement from a particular framework, in theory, we should be able to use the adherence of that requirement for ALL the similar frameworks. There are several approaches to achieving this Adobe's Common Controls Framework both in theory and in practice and will be discussed in detail later on in this article. The most relevant security and privacy frameworks are ISO 27001, NIST, PCIDSS, GDPR, SOC Type 2. There is a significant overlap of controls contained in these standards as all of these standards primarily deal with one requirement which is the protection of data. Protection of information from unauthorized disclosure, compromise, and theft forms the backbone or the building blocks of an Adobe's Common Control Framework. This leverages the fact that similar controls or that the essence of the controls is the same across standards and can be used to gauge the adherence or compliance of an organization to the standard. In actual execution, while gauging the compliance of an organization, the Adobe's Common Controls Framework is not only holistic but can reduce the effort and cost otherwise required by the organization to comply with individual standards. There are two methods of developing the Adobe's Common Control Framework for an organization and there are very subtle differences between the two methods. They are Controls harmonization and Controls Mapping. Controls Harmonization: Harmonization is the creation of a brand-new control language set from several source languages of standards taking into consideration content & context. In theory, the intent and meaning of the words and sentences remain intact, but the language and actual words of the individual standards have been changed with a new harmonized meaning defined. To achieve the usage of a single language as an industry, globally, it would have significant benefits and it would be the most efficient way to operate not only as security professionals but also as humans. Adobe’s Common Control Framework is an example of this type of construct. The benefits of having a single operating language can truly be amazing in terms of effort reduction and cost reduction. Control Mapping: Today, most brilliant and forward-thinking security professionals are using the control mapping method. The main idea behind this method is to keep the original language intact as much as possible while mapping and matching the intent and meaning of each sentence and word. This is the most practical and realistic approach because this is how humans fundamentally interact with each other globally. One can see this working in real life where two different languages are being spoken by individuals and kept mainly intact, but an interpreter or linguist is translating between the two — the map is developed in the mind of the linguist. Some real-life examples of mapping for cybersecurity frameworks can be seen in HITRUST Framework, Cloud Security Alliance Framework, and even the U.S. Government formally...

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