PCI SAQ Requirements

0Tolerance is a listed Payment Card Industry (PCI) Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) and can help you understand the PCI SAQ requirements.

PCI SAQ Requirements for merchants

The PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a contractual requirement set forth by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) to protect cardholder data. It applies to any organization that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data, regardless of the size or number of transactions. It also applies to organizations that impact the security of card transactions. The PCI DSS protects cardholder data by requiring organizations to implement security controls and best practices.

PCI SAQ Requirements for Level 2 Service Providers

In the context of the PCI DSS, service providers are organizations that provide services to other organizations that handle cardholder data. Examples of service providers include payment processors, hosting providers, and managed service providers. Service Providers can be either Level 1 or Level 2. All Level 1 Service Providers must undergo a third-party QSA audit annually. Level 2 Service Providers have options for a third-party QSA audit or the Self-Assessment Questionnaire Type D for Service Providers.

PCI Merchant Requirements For Level 2-4 Merchants

Merchants are organizations that accept payment cards from customers. They are responsible for ensuring that their payment systems are PCI DSS compliant. There are four levels of merchants based on transaction volume and how cards are accepted, ranging from Levels 1 through 4. Level 2 Merchants sometimes have third-party and self-assessment options. Levels 3 to 4 generally self-assess.

PCI Penetration Testing Requirements by SAQ Type

Must be performed by a qualified resource who is free of conflict of interest with the organization.

Who needs it?

• All Service Providers must undergo a full annual pen test.
• All Service Providers must undergo a second annual pen test for segmentation testing purposes (6 months from the full test).
• Level 2-4 Merchants completing SAQ Type A-EP must undergo external network penetration and internal network segmentation testing.
• Level 2-4 Merchants completing SAQ Type B-IP must undergo internal network segmentation testing.
• Level 2-4 Merchants completing SAQ Type C must undergo internal network segmentation testing.
  
• Level 2-4 Merchants completing SAQ Type C-VT must undergo internal network segmentation testing.
• Level 2-4 Merchants completing SAQ Type D must undergo external network pen testing, full internal network pen testing, and internal network segmentation testing.
  

PCI External Vulnerability Scanning Requirements by SAQ Type

Must be performed by a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor.

Who needs it?

• All Service Providers
• Level 2-4 Merchants completing SAQ Types A-EP, B-IP, C, or D.

PCI Internal Vulnerability Scanning Requirements By SAQ Type

Who needs it?

• All Service Providers
• Level 2-4 Merchants completing SAQ Types C or D.