Getting your business prepared for PCI Compliance is a significant challenge because the Payment Card Industry is one of the most heavily regulated across the globe. Without PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance, growing businesses will not be authorized to process payments from the major players in finance.

The rules are strict, and the penalties for those who violate its rules are firm, which is why many turn to PCI Compliance Training Services to get their employees certified and ready before embarking on the PCI-DSS journey.

What Makes a Business PCI-Compliant?

There are loads of different types of standards that must be met, but the security of IT systems is arguably the most important. To quickly recap, there are twelve requirements that businesses must achieve to become PCI-DSS Compliant:

  • The implementation of strict firewall controls to control network traffic.
  • Ensure all vendor-supplied system passwords are changed from the default.
  • Protect all digitally held cardholder data (such as encryption).
  • Protect the transmission of cardholder data across open or public networks.
  • Protect all systems against malware, ransomware, and viruses.
  • Develop and maintain secure systems and applications (patching & vulnerabilities)
  • Restrict access to cardholder data on a need-to-know basis.
  • Identify and authenticate access to system components.
  • Restrict physical access to cardholder data.
  • Monitor and log access to network resources and cardholder data.
  • Regularly test security systems and processes (pen tests and social engineering).
  • Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel (training).

PCI Compliance is important to modern digital businesses wanting to digitally process payments for goods and services. Do you need additional training on PCI Compliance to understand the wide range of requirements? Atlantic.Net has created this Top 10 PCI Compliance Training Services to help you navigate through the complex world of the Payment Card Industry’s necessary compliance.

Top 10 PCI Compliance Training Services

1. PCI Security Standards Council Training

The PCI Council is the official office for PCI compliance, so what better way to learn the complexities of compliance than from the council that defined the rules? The PCI Council provides an eLearning platform to help businesses control costs and gain tangible, real-world insights into the best practices of PCI standards.

The four-hour course costs about $500 per seat, and it was created to help users understand PCI compliance before going through an assessment. The completion of the course helps to satisfy PCI DSS Requirement 12.6 for general security awareness education for employees.

2. VISTA InfoSec

VISTA is a global assured compliance business that features industry-leading PCI compliance services that include the very latest PCI-DSS revision version 4.0. PCI-DSS was only released at the end of March 2022, and the training on offer is designed to help existing PCI-DSS 3.2.1 holders transition to PCI-DSS 4.0 or train newcomers directly on the requirements of 4.0.

The training offers a program for all personnel and covers only what is in the scope of their specific responsibilities. This tailor-made program teaches relevant employees what is needed to fulfill their role, helping the training to remain focused on individual development.

3. SecurityMetrics

SecurityMetrics offers independent PCI Compliance training to help business employees understand all PCI-DSS requirements. The course provides detailed training on PCI-DSS Compliance, including PCI basics, how to write policies and procedures, PANscan (Card Data Discovery), PCI Secure for merchants, and more.

The diverse number of courses on offer cover all aspects of compliance and can be used as a foundation for achieving official PCI Compliance certification.

4. Discover Global Network

Discover Global is part of the wider organization Discover Financial Services, a business responsible for processing millions of cardholder transactions every day. What better way than to learn from a provider who secures transactions day-in-day-out? They work directly with the PCI Council to provide eLearning and instructor-led courses.

The courses are designed to get individuals certified as PCI specialists in PCI Internal Security Assessor (ISA), Payment Card Industry Professional (PCIP), and Qualified Integrator and Reseller (QIR). These official qualifications will help employees deepen their understanding of PCI-DSS.

5. Inspired eLearning

Inspired eLearning offers 2 core training programs that concentrate on ensuring employees are well equipped when working in a PCI-compliant industry. They provide engaging and high-quality content that aims to help change business culture so it is PCI-Ready.

The two courses are PCI Essentials for Account Data Handlers and Supervisors and PCI Requirements Overview for IT Professionals. Each course educates the user to understand what PCI is, how to comply with PCI and enforce security such as fraud prevention, understanding POS devices, and the most command attack vectors used by cybercriminals.

6. Ready Training Online (RTO)

RTO focuses on providing PCI Compliance training to retailers and merchants directly. The training focuses on how retailers can defend against card cloning and compromise credit card accounts. It teaches employees how to protect and secure chip and pin devices and protect against IT data breaches.

7. Academia Compliance

Academia Compliance is part of the VISTA infosec security community, and they offer specific courses related to PCI Compliance. Training is available via online self-learning or via the classroom at the businesses’ expense, perfect for anyone looking to become certified as a Certified PCI Compliance Specialist (CPCS).

8. CFISA

The Center for Information Security Awareness (CFISA) features numerous security training programs, including courses for PCI compliance. CFISA’s Employee PCI Level I and Level II training courses are designed to empower your employees to protect organization and customer data.

9. Udemy PCI DSS Courses

Online training is growing in popularity, and platforms like Udemy offer a large number of PCI-DSS training programs. All training is online video delivered in bite-sized modules. It does require the individual to dedicate the time required to complete the course, but affords a lot of flexibility on when the training is completed. The user is then responsible to book the relevant certification exam to be taken separately.

10. Navex

Navex provides engaging video content eLearning for business employees. The training covers the fundamental basics, and the audience is generally users who may perhaps process card payments (such as shop workers). NAVEX’s Payment Card Industry data security standards basics course give learners an overview of their obligations under the PCI DSS. The course also outlines measures employees can take to protect sensitive cardholder data and prevent data security breaches.

How Can Atlantic.Net Help?

Reliable partners and service providers play a crucial role in ensuring PCI compliance is maintained. Atlantic.Net is SOC 2 and SOC 3 certified, HIPAA and HITECH audited, PCI-DSS compliant, and regularly audited for security. Atlantic.Net’s team has extensive experience helping businesses with PCI-compliant hosting environments. Contact our team today to get started on a custom PCI-Compliant Hosting Solution for your business!