Non-Compliance is Expensive

Failing PCI-DSS compliance can result in fines of $5,000-$100,000 per month, increased transaction fees, and losing the ability to process credit cards. A single breach can cost millions.

What is PCI-DSS?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is a set of security requirements designed to protect credit card data. It applies to any organization that accepts, processes, stores, or transmits credit card information.

Who Needs to Comply?

E-commerce businesses - Online stores, SaaS platforms

Retail stores - Physical locations with card terminals

Service providers - Payment processors, hosting providers

PCI-DSS Penetration Testing Requirements

Penetration testing is required under PCI-DSS Requirement 11.4:

Requirement 11.4: Penetration Testing

11.4.1 - Annual Testing

Perform penetration testing at least annually and after any significant infrastructure changes.

11.4.2 - External Testing

Test all external-facing systems in the cardholder data environment (CDE).

11.4.3 - Internal Testing

Verify network segmentation isolates the CDE from other networks.

11.4.4 - Fix & Retest

Exploitable vulnerabilities must be corrected and retested.

11.4.5 - Qualified Personnel

Testing must be performed by qualified internal or external resources.

Compliance Levels & Requirements

Level 1: 6M+ transactions/year

Annual QSA assessment
Quarterly ASV scans
Annual penetration testing (required)

Level 2: 1M-6M transactions/year

Annual SAQ
Quarterly ASV scans
Annual penetration testing (required)

Level 3-4: <1M transactions/year

Annual SAQ
Quarterly ASV scans
Penetration testing recommended

Common Failures We Find

❌ Inadequate Network Segmentation

CDE not properly isolated from corporate networks

❌ Weak Authentication

Default credentials, weak passwords, no MFA

❌ Unpatched Systems

Critical patches missing on payment systems

Cost of PCI Penetration Testing

Small Business

$8,000 - $15,000

Mid-Size Business

$15,000 - $35,000

Enterprise

$35,000 - $75,000+

The Bottom Line

You need PCI-DSS penetration testing if:

You process more than 1M transactions annually

Your acquirer or processor requires it

You want to avoid costly fines and breaches

Don't wait for a breach. The cost of a penetration test is a fraction of the cost of non-compliance or a data breach.

Need PCI-DSS Penetration Testing?

Our certified penetration testers have conducted hundreds of PCI-compliant assessments. We'll help you pass your audit with confidence.

Schedule Your PCI Assessment