PCI Requirement 11.5 – Deploy a Change-Detection Mechanisms to Alert Personnel to Unauthorized Modification of Critical System Files, Configuration Files, or Content Files

by Randy Bartels / December 16, 2022

 Change-Detection Mechanisms If change-detection mechanisms are not implemented properly, a malicious individual could take advantage and could add, remove, or alter configuration file contents, operating system programs, or application executables. This is why PCI Requirement 11.5 says, “Deploy a change-detection mechanism to alert personnel to unauthorized modification of critical system files, configuration files, or content files; and configure the software to perform critical file comparisons at least weekly.” During…

PCI Requirement 11.4 – Use Intrusion-Detection and/or Intrusion-Prevention Techniques to Detect and/or Prevent Intrusions into the Network

by Randy Bartels / December 16, 2022

 Detecting and Preventing Intrusion Has your organization implemented intrusion-detection and/or intrusion-prevention techniques? PCI Requirement 11.4 requires that organizations implement the following: Use intrusion-detection and/or intrusion-prevention techniques to detect and/or prevent intrusions into the network. Monitor all traffic at the perimeter of the cardholder data environment as well as at critical points in the cardholder data environment. Alert personnel to suspected compromises. Keep all intrusion-detection and prevention engines, baselines, and…

PCI Requirement 11.3.4.1 – Additional Requirement for Service Providers Only: If Segmentation is Used, Confirm PCI DSS Scope by Performing Penetration Testing on Segmentation Controls at Least Every Six Months and After Any Changes 

by Randy Bartels / December 16, 2022

 Segmentation, Scoping, and Penetration Testing Are you a service provider? Do you use segmentation for the purpose of PCI scope reduction? PCI Requirement 11.3.4.1 outlines new PCI penetration testing requirements and caused confusion among many service providers. PCI Requirement 11.3.4.1 states, “If segmentation is used, confirm PCI DSS scope by performing penetration testing on segmentation controls at least every six months and after any changes to segmentation controls/methods.” PCI…

PCI Requirement 11.3.4 – If Segmentation is Used to Isolate the CDE from Other Networks, Perform Penetration Tests at Least Annually and After Any Changes to Segmentation to Ensure Methods are Operational and Effective 

by Randy Bartels / December 16, 2022

 Segmentation and Penetration Testing Does your organization use segmentation to isolate your cardholder data environment from other networks? Penetration testing can be a tool to ensure that your segmentation controls are working. PCI Requirement 11.3.4 addresses this methodology. It states, “If segmentation is used to isolate the cardholder data environment from other networks, perform penetration tests at least annually and after any changes to segmentation controls/methods to verify that…

PCI Requirement 11.3.3 – Exploitable Vulnerabilities Found During Penetration Testing are Corrected and Testing is Repeated

by Randy Bartels / December 16, 2022

 What To Do with Exploitable Vulnerabilities The purpose of penetration testing is to find vulnerabilities before an attacker does; when you find them, those vulnerabilities need to be corrected. PCI Requirement 11.3.3 states, “Exploitable vulnerabilities found during penetration testing are corrected, and testing is repeated to verify the corrections.” During an assessment, you will provide your assessor with penetration testing results that verify that you found and implemented a…