Fast-Track · Weeks, Not Months

PCI DSS

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard v4.0

PCI DSS is mandatory for organizations storing, processing or transmitting cardholder data. Our PCI team delivers v4.0 readiness for all SAQ types and merchant levels; the formal assessment, ROC and AOC are delivered through our PCI SSC-registered QSA partner, CyberSigma.

PCI DSS v4.0 is the global standard for securing cardholder data—mandatory for all organizations processing, storing, or transmitting payment card information. Praxis-Q delivers end-to-end PCI DSS compliance through our QSA partner CyberSigma, covering scoping, gap assessments, remediation, and formal ROC/AOC issuance. With India headquarters and global delivery capabilities, we support merchants of all SAQ types (A through D) and enterprise levels. Our 15–20 business day fast-track model accelerates readiness while maintaining rigorous control validation against all 12 PCI DSS requirements and 300+ sub-requirements. Whether you're a startup payment processor or an established multinational, we ensure Visa, MasterCard, and Amex compliance—protecting your brand from breach fines, forensic costs, and processing suspension.

At a Glance

Versionv4.0
Requirements12 + 300+
QSA PartnerCyberSigma
SAQ TypesA/B/C/D/ROC

PCI DSS

PCI DSS

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard v4.0

The Problem

If you touch card data, a single breach means fines, forced forensics, and losing the right to process payments. Most merchants fail their first assessment on scoping alone.

What We Do

  • Scoping
  • Gap Assessment
  • Remediation
  • SAQ/ROC
  • AOC

What You Get

  • Mandatory for payment processors
  • QSA-partnered assessments (CyberSigma), all merchant levels
  • PCI DSS v4.0 fully compliant
  • Prevent costly data breach fines
  • Enable Visa/MasterCard/Amex processing
  • Reduce cardholder data exposure
  • Required by payment processors/banks
  • Comprehensive SAQ and ROC support

Why PCI DSS v4.0 Matters Now

PCI DSS v4.0 became mandatory in April 2024, introducing stricter MFA requirements, enhanced payment page controls, and customized compliance approaches. A single cardholder data breach triggers six-figure fines, mandatory forensics, and immediate payment processor suspension. Most first-time assessments fail on scoping alone—misconfiguration of your cardholder data environment (CDE) invalidates months of effort. Praxis-Q's QSA-partnered model ensures correct scope definition, reducing rework and accelerating your path to Attestation of Compliance (AOC).

Our Five-Step PCI DSS Assessment Process

We begin with precise cardholder data environment scoping, followed by comprehensive gap assessment against all 12 requirements. Remediation guidance covers technical controls (encryption, segmentation, intrusion detection) and procedural safeguards (access policies, incident response). Your SAQ or ROC—based on merchant level and card-handling complexity—is completed rigorously and submitted to our QSA partner CyberSigma for formal issuance. This structured approach compresses timelines while maintaining audit-grade documentation.

Global + India Delivery Model

Praxis-Q operates from India with global onshore and nearshore teams, enabling 15–20 business day fast-track assessments without compromising depth. Whether you're headquartered in the US, EU, APAC, or India, our compliance architects and technical specialists work across time zones to validate your controls, manage remediation sprints, and liaise with your QSA. This distributed model reduces costs while maintaining the expertise required for Level 1 and Level 2 merchant assessments.

PCI DSS Across All SAQ Types

SAQ-A for minimal card interaction, SAQ-B for standalone terminals, SAQ-C-VT for payment terminal companies, SAQ-D for full-service processors—we tailor scoping and controls validation to your specific payment architecture. Large enterprises requiring ROC (Report on Compliance) benefit from our proven assessment frameworks and QSA partnership, ensuring consistent, defensible findings that satisfy auditors and processors alike.

Compliance + Cybersecurity Integration

PCI DSS is not siloed. Praxis-Q integrates PCI controls with your broader security posture—network hardening, endpoint protection, vulnerability management, and incident response. Our vCISO and SOC-as-a-Service offerings complement PCI readiness, creating a unified defense that satisfies both compliance audits and real-world threat scenarios. This holistic approach reduces control duplication and strengthens your overall security ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PCI DSS mandatory in India?
Yes. Any org processing card payments - including RBI-regulated payment aggregators - must comply.
What is PCI DSS v4.0?
Mandatory since April 2024. Adds expanded MFA, new payment page security controls, and customized approach options.
Is PCI DSS compliance mandatory in India?
Yes. Any organization processing card payments—including RBI-regulated payment aggregators, merchants, and PSPs—must comply with PCI DSS. The Reserve Bank of India mandates PCI DSS for all payment entities. Failure to comply results in regulatory penalties and processor-imposed sanctions.
What is the difference between PCI DSS v4.0 and earlier versions?
v4.0 (mandatory since April 2024) adds stronger MFA for administrative access, enhanced payment page controls, and a 'customized approach' option for high-complexity environments. It also expands network segmentation and third-party risk requirements. Upgrading from v3.x requires re-assessment and updated AOC.
What is SAQ vs. ROC in PCI DSS?
SAQ (Self-Assessment Questionnaire) is completed by merchants and service providers; ROC (Report on Compliance) is a formal assessment conducted by a QSA (Qualified Security Assessor). Merchant level and card-handling scope determine which is required. Praxis-Q guides SAQ completion and manages QSA-partnered ROC engagement.
How long does a PCI DSS assessment take?
Praxis-Q's fast-track model completes most assessments in 15–20 business days, depending on environment size and remediation scope. This includes scoping, gap assessment, remediation guidance, and SAQ/ROC preparation. QSA final issuance of AOC may add 5–10 days post-assessment.
What are the costs of non-compliance with PCI DSS?
Fines range from $5,000 to $100,000 per month (depending on breach severity and processor). Add forensic investigation costs (often $50K–$500K+), reputational damage, and immediate payment processing suspension. PCI DSS compliance is far cheaper than breach response.
Can Praxis-Q handle PCI DSS assessments globally?
Yes. With India HQ and global delivery teams, we manage PCI DSS assessments across North America, EU, APAC, and Middle East. Our QSA partner CyberSigma is internationally recognized, ensuring consistent, audit-accepted assessments regardless of region.

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