PCI Compliance will shape IT security in the coming years

I have been quite busy recently with PCI compliance in my company. This is a great chance for all architects to make people do the right thing about security. PCI-DSS is very prescriptive and companies are taking it very seriously.

The core of the PCI DSS is a group of principles and accompanying requirements, around which the specific elements of the DSS are organized:

Build and Maintain a Secure Network

• Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data

• Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

Protect Cardholder Data

• Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
• Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks

Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

• Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software
• Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

• Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
• Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
• Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

• Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
• Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes

Maintain an Information Security Policy

• Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security

Trust me, PCI compliance will shape the IT security for the next 10 years.

PCI-DSS is also reusing all the work done by OWASP and especially the Top ten vulnerabilities. Look at the free stuff available in the OWASP web site, it is quite incredible. You can find security guides and efficient tooling.

Long live PCI ...