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PCI CDE Penetration Test

What is a PCI CDE Penetration Test?

A PCI CDE Pen Test checks the information security of systems that handle cardholder data. It identifies risks that could let attackers access sensitive payment information. The PCI Board requires this test every year or after major changes occur for compliance. A penetration test is an assessment of your security controls to make sure the cardholder data is secure.

We specialize in PCI penetration testing to help businesses protect payment card data, meet PCI (Data Security Standard) DSS standards, and maintain their reputation. Contact us if you have any questions about our PCI Penetration Testing services.

Network Vulnerability Assessment

Why PCI CDE Penetration Testing Matters?

The Cardholder Data Environment is central to your payment card industry data operations. Sensitive data flows through the CDE, making it an attractive target for cyber-criminals. Security Standards for PCI DSS compliance mandates conducting penetration testing on your CDE and performing external penetration testing for several compelling reasons:

  1. Identifying Vulnerabilities: Penetration testing reveals IT risk within your CDE infrastructure, including network segmentation configurations, web applications, and access security controls.
  2. Risk Mitigation: By proactively identifying risk, businesses can take necessary actions to mitigate risks before malicious actors exploit them.
  3. Compliance Adherence: PCI DSS requires regular penetration testing as a crucial compliance measure. Regular testing ensures that your organization aligns with these standards.
  4. Enhanced Security: Beyond compliance, penetration testing elevates the overall security posture of your CDE, fortifying payment card data protection and customer trust.

PCI Pen Test Methodology

Our PCI CDE Pen Tests typically have the following steps:

  1. Planning and Reconnaissance: We take the time upfront to define and minimize the scope of the test. We also gather information about the target environment to understand its architecture, components, and potential entry points.
  2. Scanning: We use automated tools and manual techniques to scan the network, systems, services, and web applications. We do this to identify IT risks and entry points for further testing.
  3. Vulnerability Assessment: We will then analyze the identified risks to determine their potential likelihood and impact on the CDE.
  4. Exploitation: Our team will then exploit the risks to gain access to systems and cardholder data. This phase helps us verify the risks, demonstrate their potential impact on data breaches, and identify false positives.
  5. Reporting: We will compile a report detailing the penetration test findings once we complete the testing phase. This report includes a list of actionable recommendations for mitigating the identified IT risk and improving overall security.
  6. Re-Testing: We will work with your team to discuss the identified issues and conduct follow-up tests to verify that the IT risks have been fixed.

We love working with the Information Security team at Tanner Security Consultants. They customized their service offerings to fit our needs and put together a team of well-qualified individuals to work with us. Their team has exceeded my expectations.

Brad B. – President

Penetration Testing Services

At Tanner Security Consultants, we recognize that no two organizations are alike. We offer tailored PCI penetration testing services to address your specific needs. Our team has over 20 years of experience, and we use the best tools to assess your CDE’s security. Our services include:

  1. Vulnerability Assessment: We conduct comprehensive assessments to pinpoint the issues and potential entry points within your CDE.
  2. Exploitation Testing: Our team will work to act like a cyber-attack and exploit identified IT risks and issues to assess their impact on your CDE.
  3. Risk Assessment: You receive a detailed risk assessment that ranks issues and offers actionable recommendations for mitigation.
  4. Comprehensive Reporting: Our thorough reports provide insights into the testing process, findings, and detailed recommendations.
  5. Ongoing Support: Our commitment extends beyond the assessment. We offer continuous support to help you maintain a secure and compliant CDE.

PCI Consulting Services

PCI 4.0 ConsultingWe provide expert guidance on navigating the new requirements and changes introduced in PCI DSS 4.0. Our consultants help you understand and implement these updates to ensure continued compliance and security.

PCI Policy ConsultingOur team helps develop and update PCI policies and procedures to align with the latest PCI DSS standards, ensuring your business follows best practices for protecting payment card data.

PCI CDE Penetration Testing: We conduct thorough penetration tests on your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) to identify issues and provide recommendations for improving your security.

PCI DSS Compliance AssessmentsOur compliance assessments evaluate your current state against PCI DSS requirements, identifying gaps and providing a roadmap for full compliance.

PCI Gap AssessmentWe perform gap assessments to identify areas where your business falls short of PCI DSS standards, and we help to bridge the gaps.

Protect Your Organization

Contact us today to schedule your assessment and take proactive measures to protect your organization, customers, and reputation.

Key Benefits of a PCI Pentest

1. Identify IT Risk: PCI CDE Penetration Testing helps you quickly identify critical issues that attackers could exploit within your systems. This test allows prompt action to address these issues and minimize potential damage.

2. Enhanced Data Protection: By uncovering and addressing weaknesses in your security, you strengthen the protection of sensitive payment card data. This action secures your organization and builds trust with your customers.

3. Compliance Assurance: PCI DSS standards require regular penetration testing. These tests ensure that your business meets these requirements, preventing potential fines and penalties and providing a sense of security.

4. Proactive Risk Mitigation: Identifying and addressing risks before they can be exploited helps protect your business from costly breaches and security incidents. This proactive approach gives you a sense of control, enhances overall security, and reduces the likelihood of future attacks.

5. Improved Security Posture: Beyond compliance, our thorough testing and actionable recommendations improve your security posture, safeguarding against evolving cyber threats and enhancing your overall IT security framework. This instills confidence in your business’s security.

FAQs

1. What is PCI CDE Penetration Testing? PCI CDE Penetration Testing is a security assessment designed to identify issues and risks in systems that handle cardholder data. It simulates attacks to uncover potential weaknesses that cyber-criminals could exploit.

2. How often should we conduct PCI CDE Penetration Testing? The PCI Board requires organizations to conduct penetration testing at least annually. Additionally, perform it after significant changes to the IT environment or systems handling cardholder data.

3. What happens if vulnerabilities are found during the test? If issues are found during the test, our team will provide a detailed report outlining the risks and offering actionable recommendations. We will also re-test to ensure the issues are resolved.

4. How does PCI CDE Penetration Testing help with compliance? Penetration testing is a crucial requirement of PCI DSS standards. Regularly performing these tests ensures your organization meets compliance requirements, avoids potential fines, and maintains customer trust.

5. What is included in the final report? The final report contains a comprehensive assessment of the risks found, their potential impact, and the ranking of the recommendations to be fixed. It provides a clear roadmap for addressing security issues and improving IT security.

6. How can we get started with PCI CDE Penetration Testing? Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss your needs, outline the testing process, and provide a detailed proposal.

7. What if our organization needs to be PCI-compliant? If your business needs to be PCI compliant, our team can help with a PCI Gap Assessment to identify areas where you fall short. We’ll guide you on how to address these gaps and achieve compliance.

Why Choose Tanner Security for PCI Consulting Services?

    • Expertise: Our team has extensive experience in PCI DSS compliance and security.
    • Comprehensive Solutions: We offer a full range of services to address every aspect of PCI compliance.
    • Customized Approach: We tailor our services to meet your business’s needs.
    • Proven Track Record: Our successful history in helping organizations achieve PCI compliance speaks for itself.

    Ensure Your PCI DSS Compliance with Tanner Security

    PCI DSS compliance protects payment card data and maintains customer trust. Partner with Tanner Security for expert PCI consulting services to ensure your business meets the highest security standards. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve PCI DSS compliance.