Common Reoccurring Tasks and Intervals to Maintain PCI Compliance

Maintaining PCI DSS compliance requires organizations to perform several recurring tasks at different intervals. Some of the most common recurring tasks include:

Daily Tasks:

1. Log review: Review system logs daily for any signs of suspicious activity or security incidents.

2. Security alerts monitoring: Monitor security alerts generated by systems such as Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), firewalls, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions.

Weekly Tasks:

1. Vulnerability scanning: Conduct internal vulnerability scans at least weekly to identify potential security weaknesses in your systems and applications.

2. Backup verification: Verify the integrity of your backups and ensure that they can be successfully restored.

Monthly Tasks:

1. Patch management: Review and apply security patches for all systems and software on a monthly basis or more frequently, depending on the criticality of the patches.

Quarterly Tasks:

1. External vulnerability scanning: Perform quarterly external vulnerability scans by an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) to identify potential security issues that could be exploited by external attackers.

2. Firewall rule set review: Review firewall rules at least every three months to ensure that they are still necessary and appropriate for your environment.

3. Rouge AP review: Conduct a visual and technical inspection to ensure there are no rouge wireless access points.

Semi-Annual Tasks:

1. User access review: Review user access rights at least every six months to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to cardholder data and that access is granted based on the principle of least privilege.

2. Security awareness training: Provide security awareness training to all personnel who have access to cardholder data at least every six months to ensure they understand their responsibilities and are aware of the latest threats and best practices.

Annual Tasks:

1. Risk assessment: Perform an annual risk assessment to identify and prioritize risks to your cardholder data environment.

2. Incident response plan review: Review and update your incident response plan at least once a year or whenever significant changes occur in your environment.

3. Policy and procedure review: Review and update your security policies and procedures annually to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

4. Penetration testing: Conduct an annual penetration test to simulate real-world attacks and identify potential weaknesses in your environment.

By performing these recurring tasks at the appropriate intervals, organizations can help ensure that they maintain PCI DSS compliance and protect cardholder data effectively. Keep in mind that the specific tasks and frequencies may vary depending on the organization's size, complexity, and risk profile.

For additional PCI related information check out these other blog posts!

• The Ultimate Guide to Conquering PCI Compliance: 9 Steps to Safeguard Your Customers' Payment Data

• Navigating the PCI DSS Compliance Maze: A Fun Guide to Protecting Your Customers' Payment Data

• Setup and Ongoing Costs Associated with PCI Compliance

• Common Mistakes Business Make Related to PCI Compliance

• What is an SAQ and Which SAQ Should Businesses Use for PCI Compliance

• How Businesses Can Make PCI Compliance Easier to Achieve

• How Businesses Can Reduce Efforts Needed to Maintain PCI Compliance