Compliance Framework

PCI DSS Compliance

PCI DSS is the payment-card industry security standard (v4.0 current) that applies to anyone who stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data.

Talk to us about PCI DSS Security and Compliance

PCI DSS for Canadian startups · PCI DSS cost in CAD

Who needs PCI DSS

Merchants, SaaS, and fintech that touch payment-card data. Scope and validation depend on your transaction volume and how you handle card data.

Key PCI DSS requirements

The core of what PCI DSS asks you to put in place.

  • Build and maintain secure networks and systems
  • Protect stored account data and encrypt transmission of cardholder data
  • Vulnerability management and anti-malware
  • Strong access control with unique IDs
  • Continuous monitoring and logging of access to cardholder data
  • A maintained information security policy; validation via SAQ or a QSA audit (v4.0)

Typical timeline

Depends heavily on scope. A Self-Assessment Questionnaire can be quick once controls are in place; a Level 1 Report on Compliance with a QSA is a multi-month engagement, validated annually.

How we help with PCI DSS

We scope your cardholder-data environment, reduce PCI scope through segmentation and tokenization, implement the v4.0 requirements, and prepare you for the right SAQ or a QSA-led Level 1 assessment.

See Security and Compliance, or compare estimated PCI DSS cost in CAD. Based in Toronto and led by a published CVE researcher, we deliver across Canada and the US with our partner Lorikeet Security.

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PCI DSS questions

Who has to comply with PCI DSS?

Anyone that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data. Your merchant level and validation method depend on annual transaction volume.

What is the current PCI DSS version?

Version 4.0 is the current standard, with v3.2.1 retired and the v4.0 requirements now in force.

Do we need a QSA?

Not always. Lower-volume merchants can validate with a Self-Assessment Questionnaire; Level 1 merchants generally need a Qualified Security Assessor Report on Compliance.

How do we reduce PCI scope?

Outsource card handling to compliant processors, tokenize, and segment your cardholder-data environment so fewer systems are in scope.

Is PCI DSS a law?

No. It is a contractual standard set by the payment card brands, enforced through your acquirer and payment processors.

Move on PCI DSS with a team that has done it

Book a free discovery call. We will tell you whether PCI DSS fits, what it would take, and roughly what it would cost.

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