PCI DSS Compliance Services

PCI compliance level depends on annual transaction volume processed. Level 1 merchants (over 6 million transactions annually) require annual Report on Compliance (ROC) from Qualified Security Assessor (QSA). Level 2 (1-6 million transactions) requires annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and quarterly network scans. Level 3 (20,000-1 million e-commerce transactions) requires annual SAQ and quarterly scans. Level 4 (under 20,000 e-commerce or under 1 million total transactions) requires annual SAQ and quarterly scans, though acquiring banks may have additional requirements. SAQ type (A, A-EP, B, C, D) depends on how you process cards:redirect to third party, terminal processing, or integrated systems. Most small to medium businesses are Level 3 or 4 requiring SAQ completion, while large merchants require full QSA audits.

PCI DSS compliance costs vary by merchant level and complexity. Level 4 merchants with simple SAQ A typically invest $5,000-10,000 for initial compliance plus $1,000-2,000 annually for ongoing management and quarterly scans. Level 3 merchants with SAQ D or complex environments invest $10,000-25,000 initially plus $2,000-4,000 annually. Level 2 merchants require $15,000-40,000 for compliance program implementation. Level 1 merchants needing full QSA audits invest $30,000-75,000+ annually including audit fees. However, non-compliance costs more: card brand fines range $5,000-100,000 monthly, transaction fee increases cost thousands monthly, and data breaches average $3.9 million. Professional PCI DSS compliance services cost far less than non-compliance penalties or breach consequences.

Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) allows eligible merchants to self-validate PCI DSS compliance by completing questionnaires and providing evidence. Full PCI audit (Report on Compliance) requires on-site assessment by Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) who validates all controls independently. SAQ types vary by processing method: SAQ A (card-not-present, fully outsourced, ~22 requirements), SAQ A-EP (e-commerce with some processing, ~182 requirements), SAQ B (imprint or standalone terminals, ~41 requirements), SAQ C (payment application systems connected to internet, ~160 requirements), and SAQ D (all other merchants or service providers, ~329 requirements covering all PCI DSS requirements). Only Level 1 merchants and some Level 2s require full QSA audits:most businesses complete appropriate SAQ based on processing method. SAQ is significantly less expensive and burdensome than full audit.

PCI DSS compliance timeline depends on starting security posture and merchant level. Organizations with existing security controls typically achieve SAQ A compliance in 1-2 months, SAQ D compliance in 3-4 months, and full audit readiness in 4-6 months. Organizations starting from minimal security need 2-3x these timeframes. Timeline includes: gap assessment (1-2 weeks), network segmentation if needed (2-4 weeks), security control implementation (4-12 weeks depending on gaps), policy development (2-3 weeks), vulnerability remediation (2-4 weeks), and documentation completion (ongoing). Quarterly vulnerability scans must pass before validation. Most organizations achieve significant progress within 60-90 days even if full compliance takes longer. PCI DSS compliance is annual requirement:organizations must revalidate compliance yearly through SAQ or audit.

Failed PCI validation triggers mandatory remediation plans and continued non-compliance status until corrected. Card brands impose or increase monthly fines ($5,000-100,000), acquiring banks may increase transaction fees or threaten account termination, and you cannot attest compliance to customers. Timeline for remediation and revalidation typically adds 2-4 months. If data breach occurs while non-compliant, consequences multiply: forensic investigation costs ($50,000-500,000), breach notification expenses, fraud liability for compromised cards, regulatory penalties, lawsuits from affected cardholders, and potential criminal prosecution. Card brands impose additional fines and mandated security audits. Our PCI DSS compliance services include preparation minimizing validation failures and incident response procedures limiting breach damage. Organizations maintaining ongoing compliance through professional services have significantly lower breach rates and faster remediation when issues occur.