PCI Requirement 2.2.5 – Remove all Unnecessary Functionality

by Randy Bartels / December 22, 2022

Removing All Unnecessary Functionality PCI Requirement 2.2.5 states, “Remove all unnecessary functionality, such as scripts, drivers, features, subsystems, file system, and unnecessary web servers.” Unnecessary functions are yet another way that hackers could gain access to your system, so if a function is not needed, it needs to be shut off. The PCI DSS says that, “By removing all unnecessary functionality, organizations can focus on securing the functions that are…

PCI Requirement 2.2.4 – Configure System Security Parameters to Prevent Misuse

by Randy Bartels / December 22, 2022

Preventing Misuse PCI Requirement 2.2.4 requires, “Configure system security parameters to prevent misuse.” There are two parts to compliance with PCI Requirement 2.2.4. First, the technical part: your organization’s system configuration standards and hardening guidelines should discuss security settings that have known security implications for each type of system in use. Assessors will need to examine the configuration standards as part of this assessment, to ensure that common security parameter…

PCI Requirement 2.2.3 – Implement Additional Security Features

by Randy Bartels / December 22, 2022

Why Your Organization Needs To Implement Additional Security Features Under PCI Requirement 2, which focuses on hardening your organization’s systems and assets, we find PCI Requirement 2.2.3. PCI Requirement 2 is not just about your servers, it’s about any asset within your environment. PCI Requirement 2.2.3 is also about all types of assets within your environment. PCI Requirement 2.2.3 instructs, “Implement additional security features for any required services, protocols, or…

PCI Requirement 2.2.2 – Enable Only Necessary Services, Protocols and Daemons

by Randy Bartels / December 22, 2022

If It's Not Required, Get Rid of It We believe that the PCI DSS, or really any information security framework, boils down to a simple philosophy: if you do not need it or it is not required, get rid of it. PCI Requirement 2.2.2 directly correlates to this methodology. It directs, “Enable only necessary services, protocols, daemons, etc, as required for the function of the system.” Your business should be…

PCI Requirement 2.2.1 – Implement Only One Primary Function Per Server

by Randy Bartels / December 22, 2022

Finding Cross-Over Between Servers PCI Requirement 2.2.1 is another requirement focusing on hardening standards. PCI Requirement 2.2.1 states, “Implement only one primary function per server to prevent functions that require different security levels from co-existing on the same server. Where virtualization technologies are in use, implement only one primary function per virtual system component.”     Assessors need to make sure that your systems only have one primary function per…