PCI DSS Certification with Beforis

When a company accepts, transmits, or stores payment data, protecting that data becomes an integral part of its day-to-day business processes. When handling card payments, it is important to take into account the requirements of payment networks, acquiring banks, and other participants in the payment infrastructure.

The PCI DSS standard establishes requirements for protecting payment card data and applies to organizations involved in its processing, transmission, or storage. Preparing for an assessment helps evaluate the current level of security, identify areas that require improvement, and bring processes and infrastructure into compliance with applicable requirements.

Beforis helps companies prepare for PCI DSS certification and facilitates cooperation with trusted audit firms. We support the project at every stage — from determining the appropriate compliance level and scope to completing the certification audit and obtaining documentation confirming compliance.

What Is PCI DSS?

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is an international security standard for payment card data. Its requirements are designed to protect payment card information and reduce the risks associated with its compromise.

The standard covers both technical and organizational security measures, including network and system protection, access control, secure infrastructure configuration, data protection during storage and transmission, security event monitoring, vulnerability management, and internal company policies.

The specific scope of requirements depends on how a business handles payment card data, what role it plays in the payment infrastructure, and which requirements are imposed by the relevant payment networks or partners. Therefore, before beginning an assessment, it is important to define the scope — the areas and systems that need to be included in the assessment.

Who May Need PCI DSS Certification?

PCI DSS certification may be relevant for companies that process, transmit, or store payment card data themselves, as well as businesses that are subject to relevant requirements imposed by payment networks, acquiring banks, or business partners.

Depending on the business model, this may include e-commerce companies, fintech businesses, payment service providers, SaaS platforms, and other organizations involved in card payments. If payment card data is processed by a third-party provider, the scope of the company's own compliance obligations may be different.

For this reason, the need for and format of compliance validation should be assessed on an individual basis, taking into account the company's payment infrastructure and the nature of its data processing activities.

PCI DSS and Payment Infrastructure

Compliance with the standard is particularly important for companies that build their own payment infrastructure or work with acquiring banks and payment systems. At the same time, PCI DSS compliance does not replace other requirements that may be imposed by a bank, payment service provider, or the legislation of a particular country.

Therefore, before starting a project, it is important to determine which specific requirements apply to the company, which systems are included in the scope, and what form of compliance validation is required.

How to Achieve PCI DSS Compliance: Step-by-Step Process

Bringing an infrastructure into compliance with the requirements is a systematic process that affects software architecture, internal policies and procedures, and employee practices.

In most cases, PCI DSS preparation and certification follow several clearly defined stages:

1. Defining the Scope (Assessment Scope). Network segmentation and narrowing the environment in which payment card data is transmitted. The smaller the assessment scope, the lower the overall cost of PCI DSS certification.
2. Preliminary GAP Analysis. A comparative assessment of the current state of systems against the requirements of the standard. Identification of vulnerabilities, gaps, and missing documentation.
3. Remediation. Updating the architecture, configuring logging, implementing encryption, and developing internal policies and procedures.
4. Vulnerability Scanning. Conducting external network scans using accredited ASV scanners and performing penetration testing.
5. Final Assessment. A QSA-led assessment of the results, followed by the preparation of the final Report on Compliance (ROC) or Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), as applicable.

To successfully achieve PCI DSS compliance, an organization must demonstrate full compliance with all applicable requirements, without exceptions.

How Much Does PCI DSS Certification Cost?

The cost of PCI DSS certification depends on the scale of the project, the applicable level of compliance validation, the complexity of the infrastructure, and the scope of systems included in the assessment. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a single standard price for all companies.

The cost is also affected by the amount of preparation required, including process improvements, documentation development, additional assessments, and other activities. Beforis determines the scope of work after analyzing the project and agrees on the cost before the engagement begins.

How to Obtain a PCI DSS Certificate

To obtain PCI DSS certification, a company must complete the appropriate compliance validation process based on the applicable requirements of the standard. Before the assessment begins, the company must prepare its infrastructure, processes, and internal documentation in accordance with the defined scope.

Beforis helps companies navigate the process step by step: we determine the appropriate level of compliance validation, organize a preliminary assessment, assist with documentation and remediation recommendations, and coordinate cooperation with the audit firm.

After successfully completing the assessment, the client receives PCI DSS documentation confirming compliance with the requirements within the scope of the assessment.

Why Businesses Choose Beforis

Preparing for PCI DSS compliance involves technical infrastructure, internal processes, and documentation. Coordinating all of these areas independently can be challenging, especially for companies going through this type of assessment for the first time.

Beforis takes care of the organizational and consulting aspects of the project, works with trusted audit firms, and helps determine the optimal scope. This allows companies to understand the required work in advance and prepare their infrastructure for the assessment without including unnecessary elements in the scope.

If your company needs to achieve PCI DSS compliance, Beforis can help identify the applicable requirements, prepare for the assessment, and coordinate the certification process.

Frequently Asked Questions About PCI DSS Certification

How long does the certification process take?

On average, preparation and the assessment take anywhere from 2–4 weeks for smaller projects to 2–3 months for larger services, depending on the complexity and scope of the project.

Can a company accept card payments without a PCI DSS certificate?

PCI DSS requirements still apply, but a separate "PCI DSS certificate" is not necessarily required in every case. The applicable validation method depends on the company's role, transaction environment, and the requirements of its acquiring bank, payment network, or service provider. Failure to meet applicable requirements may result in additional fees, remediation requirements, or other penalties.

How often does PCI DSS compliance need to be validated?

PCI DSS compliance is generally validated annually, while external vulnerability scans performed by an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) are typically required quarterly, where applicable.

What happens if payment card data is breached?

A data breach can result in significant financial and operational consequences, including fines or penalties imposed under applicable payment network rules, increased assessment and remediation costs, loss of acquiring or payment-processing relationships, and reputational damage. The exact consequences depend on the circumstances of the breach and the applicable contractual and regulatory requirements.

Why is network segmentation important before an assessment?

Isolating the payment card data environment can reduce the assessment scope, which may significantly decrease the amount of infrastructure and systems that need to be assessed. This can help reduce both the cost and the time required for PCI DSS compliance.