Home > Information Technology > Daily compliance checklist for PCI DSS 4.0

Daily compliance checklist for PCI DSS 4.0

1. Security Management

Review user access logs for unauthorized access attempts.

Access logs daily.
Identify any unusual patterns.
Document unauthorized attempts.
Report findings to management.
Take corrective action as necessary.

Ensure all security policies are up to date and communicated to the team.

Review policies for relevance.
Update documentation as needed.
Distribute policies to all team members.
Collect acknowledgment of receipt.
Schedule periodic reviews.

Verify that security patches for systems and applications are applied as required.

Check for available patches.
Assess the impact of updates.
Apply patches promptly.
Document patch applications.
Monitor for patch-related issues.

Conduct regular risk assessments to identify and evaluate potential security threats

Schedule assessments quarterly.
Identify potential threats.
Evaluate the impact and likelihood.
Document findings and prioritize risks.
Develop mitigation strategies.

Establish and maintain an incident response plan that is regularly tested and updated

Create a response plan template.
Define roles and responsibilities.
Regularly review and update the plan.
Conduct drills to test effectiveness.
Incorporate lessons learned into updates.

Monitor and review firewall and router configurations for any unauthorized changes

Check configuration logs daily.
Identify any unauthorized modifications.
Restore original configurations if necessary.
Document changes and reasons.
Review access controls on devices.

Implement and review an asset inventory to track all hardware and software in the environment

Create an asset inventory list.
Regularly update the list.
Include hardware and software details.
Assign ownership for each asset.
Conduct periodic audits of the inventory.

Ensure that all staff members are aware of the importance of security and their responsibilities in maintaining it

Communicate security policies clearly.
Conduct regular briefings on security issues.
Encourage questions and feedback.
Promote a security culture.
Provide resources for further learning.

Schedule regular security audits to assess compliance with security policies and PCI DSS requirements

Plan audits at least annually.
Define scope and objectives.
Engage internal or external auditors.
Document findings and recommendations.
Follow up on corrective actions.

Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all sensitive data locations and ensure proper classification

Identify all sensitive data types.
Create a data inventory map.
Classify data based on sensitivity.
Review inventory periodically.
Ensure compliance with classification policies.

Review third-party vendor security practices and assess their compliance with PCI DSS requirements

Request security documentation from vendors.
Evaluate their security practices.
Assess compliance with PCI DSS.
Document findings and concerns.
Communicate necessary improvements.

Implement and document a change management process to ensure all changes to systems and applications are tracked and approved

Create a change management policy.
Document all proposed changes.
Require approval from relevant stakeholders.
Track implementation and outcomes.
Review changes for effectiveness.

Conduct security awareness training sessions to educate staff about the latest security threats and best practices

Schedule training sessions bi-annually.
Cover current threat landscape.
Provide best practices for security.
Engage staff with interactive content.
Evaluate training effectiveness through feedback.

2. Access Control

Confirm that only authorized personnel have access to cardholder data.

Verify user access lists against current personnel records.
Implement role-based access controls for cardholder data.
Restrict access to only those with a legitimate business need.
Conduct regular training on access policies for all staff.

Review user accounts and remove any that are no longer active or necessary.

Audit user accounts at least quarterly.
Identify inactive accounts based on last login activity.
Follow a documented process for disabling/removing accounts.
Notify users before account removal when appropriate.

Check that strong authentication measures are in place for accessing sensitive systems.

Implement password complexity requirements.
Enforce regular password changes and expiration.
Use account lockout mechanisms after failed attempts.
Regularly review and update authentication methods.

Ensure that user access levels are aligned with job responsibilities and the principle of least privilege

Assess job roles and responsibilities.
Assign access rights based on necessity.
Limit permissions to only required resources.
Regularly review access levels for appropriateness.
Remove unnecessary access promptly.

Review and update access control policies and procedures regularly to reflect changes in personnel and technology

Schedule periodic reviews of policies.
Incorporate feedback from relevant stakeholders.
Update procedures to align with new technologies.
Communicate changes to all employees.
Document all revisions for compliance.

Conduct regular audits of access logs to identify and investigate any unauthorized access attempts

Set a schedule for log audits.
Use automated tools for log analysis.
Investigate any anomalies or suspicious activity.
Maintain records of audit findings.
Report significant incidents to management.

Verify that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is implemented for all remote access to the network and sensitive systems

Check MFA setup across all remote access points.
Ensure MFA methods are robust and secure.
Educate users on MFA processes.
Regularly test MFA effectiveness.
Review and update MFA settings as necessary.

Ensure that all user access credentials are unique and not shared among users

Enforce a policy for unique credentials.
Monitor for shared credentials usage.
Educate users on the risks of sharing.
Implement technical controls to prevent sharing.
Review access logs to detect credential sharing.

Implement time-based access controls to restrict access to cardholder data during non-business hours

Define business hours for access.
Configure systems to restrict access outside these hours.
Communicate the time-based access policy.
Test the effectiveness of access controls.
Document exceptions if any exist.

Provide training to users on secure access practices and the importance of protecting authentication credentials

Develop a comprehensive training program.
Include topics on phishing and credential security.
Schedule regular training sessions.
Evaluate training effectiveness through assessments.
Update training materials regularly.

Enable automatic session timeouts for inactive sessions accessing sensitive systems

Set a timeout duration based on risk assessment.
Configure systems to log users out after inactivity.
Notify users of session timeout policies.
Test timeout functions for effectiveness.
Educate users on the importance of session security.

Implement a process for regular review of third-party access to cardholder data and systems

Schedule periodic reviews of third-party access.
Assess necessity of access for each third party.
Document findings and any necessary changes.
Communicate with third parties about access policies.
Revoke access that is no longer needed.

Document and maintain an inventory of all accounts with access to cardholder data, including the access level for each account

Create and maintain a comprehensive inventory list.
Include details such as account owner and access level.
Regularly review and update the inventory.
Ensure secure storage of the inventory document.
Make inventory accessible for audits.

3. Network Security

Ensure firewalls and routers are configured correctly and functioning properly.

Check firewall and router configurations against established security policies.
Perform regular functionality tests to ensure they operate as intended.
Review logs for any anomalies or unauthorized changes.
Ensure all firmware is up-to-date and patched.

Review intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS) alerts.

Regularly check IDPS logs for alerts and incidents.
Investigate any suspicious alerts to determine their validity.
Adjust IDPS configurations based on alert patterns.
Document findings and actions taken for each alert.

Verify that network segmentation is maintained to protect cardholder data.

Review network diagrams to confirm segmentation is in place.
Test segmentation controls to ensure isolation of sensitive data.
Update network policies to reflect any changes in segmentation.
Document segmentation configurations and changes.

Regularly update firewall and router rules to reflect current security policies

Review existing rules against current security policies.
Identify outdated or unnecessary rules.
Update rules as needed and document changes.
Test rules to ensure they function as intended.

Conduct periodic reviews of network architecture to identify potential vulnerabilities

Schedule regular reviews of network diagrams and architecture.
Assess the configuration of network devices and segments.
Look for outdated hardware or software.
Document and address identified vulnerabilities promptly.

Ensure that all devices connected to the network are properly configured and secured

Verify device configurations against security baselines.
Ensure default passwords are changed and security settings are applied.
Check for unnecessary services or open ports.
Regularly audit connected devices for compliance.

Monitor and log network traffic to detect any unauthorized access attempts

Implement network monitoring tools for real-time analysis.
Log all traffic and analyze logs for anomalies.
Set alerts for suspicious activities.
Regularly review logs for compliance and incident response.

Implement network access controls to restrict access to sensitive areas of the network

Define access control policies based on user roles.
Implement VLANs or subnets for sensitive data.
Use firewalls to restrict access between different network segments.
Regularly review and update access controls.

Ensure all wireless networks are secured with strong encryption and authentication methods

Use WPA3 or equivalent encryption standards.
Implement strong, unique passwords for each wireless network.
Disable SSID broadcasting if not needed.
Regularly review wireless security settings.

Test firewalls and routers for vulnerabilities using penetration testing

Schedule regular penetration tests for firewalls and routers.
Engage qualified professionals for testing.
Document findings and prioritize remediation efforts.
Retest after vulnerabilities are addressed.

Verify the use of secure protocols (e.g., SSL/TLS) for transmitting cardholder data across the network

Check all applications for SSL/TLS implementation.
Ensure certificates are up-to-date and properly configured.
Test for vulnerabilities in SSL/TLS configurations.
Document all secure protocol usage.

Maintain an inventory of all network components, ensuring they are regularly assessed for security compliance

Create and maintain an up-to-date inventory list.
Assign responsibility for regular assessments.
Check for compliance against security standards.
Document any changes to inventory and assessments.

Document and review any changes to network configurations to maintain a clear audit trail

Establish a change management process.
Document all changes made to network configurations.
Review changes periodically for compliance.
Store documentation securely for audit purposes.

4. Data Protection

Confirm that sensitive cardholder data is encrypted during transmission and at rest.

Verify encryption protocols used during data transmission.
Ensure encryption is applied to stored data.
Check for compliance with AES or RSA standards.
Document encryption methods and configurations.

Check that data retention policies are followed, and data is securely deleted when no longer needed.

Review data retention schedules for compliance.
Ensure secure deletion methods are utilized.
Verify that retention policies are communicated to staff.
Document instances of data deletion.

Review logs of data access to ensure compliance with data handling policies.

Audit access logs for unauthorized access attempts.
Ensure logs are maintained securely and for a defined period.
Check for anomalies or patterns in access behavior.
Document findings and follow-up actions.

Ensure that all sensitive cardholder data is stored in a secure environment with access controls in place

Verify physical security measures for data storage.
Ensure access controls are role-based and documented.
Conduct regular reviews of access permissions.
Document any access control changes.

Verify that cryptographic keys are managed securely and are rotated regularly

Check key management practices for compliance.
Ensure keys are stored securely and access is limited.
Verify rotation schedules align with industry standards.
Document key management procedures and audits.

Confirm that strong cryptographic algorithms are used for data encryption, in accordance with industry standards

Review algorithms in use against current standards.
Ensure compliance with NIST or ISO recommendations.
Check configuration settings for cryptographic tools.
Document encryption algorithm assessments.

Ensure that all personnel with access to sensitive cardholder data are subject to background checks and have a legitimate business need for access

Verify background check processes are in place.
Ensure access is granted based on job responsibilities.
Document background check results and access approvals.
Conduct periodic reviews of personnel access.

Check that data masking techniques are implemented where appropriate to protect cardholder data during processing and display

Review implementation of data masking solutions.
Ensure compliance with industry standards for masking.
Verify masking is applied in user interfaces and reports.
Document instances of data masking application.

Review access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive cardholder data

Audit access control lists and permissions.
Ensure multi-factor authentication is in place.
Verify that access reviews are conducted regularly.
Document access control policies and changes.

Validate that all third-party vendors handling cardholder data comply with PCI DSS requirements and have appropriate security measures in place

Review vendor contracts for compliance clauses.
Conduct security assessments of third-party vendors.
Ensure that vendors provide proof of PCI compliance.
Document vendor compliance evaluations.

Conduct regular audits of data protection measures to identify and remediate any vulnerabilities or weaknesses

Schedule and perform audits at defined intervals.
Identify and document vulnerabilities found during audits.
Ensure follow-up actions are taken to remediate issues.
Maintain records of audit findings and resolutions.

Ensure that there is a policy in place for the secure transfer of sensitive cardholder data, both internally and externally

Draft and implement secure transfer policies.
Ensure policies cover both electronic and physical transfers.
Train personnel on secure transfer procedures.
Document instances of data transfer compliance.

Confirm that all employees are trained on data protection policies and understand the importance of safeguarding sensitive cardholder data

Develop training programs focused on data protection.
Schedule regular training sessions for all employees.
Assess employee understanding through evaluations.
Document training attendance and feedback.

5. Vulnerability Management

Review vulnerability scanning reports for remediation status.

Collect scanning reports from relevant tools.
Analyze the reports for identified vulnerabilities.
Check the remediation status of each vulnerability.
Document any vulnerabilities that are still open.
Communicate findings with responsible teams for action.

Ensure that antivirus and anti-malware tools are updated and functioning.

Verify the latest virus definition updates are installed.
Check the operational status of antivirus tools.
Run a full system scan to ensure effectiveness.
Review logs for any detection incidents.
Schedule regular updates and scans for future.

Check for any new vulnerabilities that may affect the organization and plan remediation.

Consult threat intelligence sources for new vulnerabilities.
Cross-reference new findings with in-scope systems.
Assess potential impact on cardholder data.
Prioritize vulnerabilities based on severity.
Develop a remediation plan for high-risk vulnerabilities.

Conduct regular vulnerability scans on all in-scope systems and networks

Schedule scans to run at consistent intervals.
Use appropriate scanning tools for thorough coverage.
Ensure all systems are included in the scan schedule.
Review and analyze scan results promptly.
Document findings and follow up on remediation.

Prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk assessment and potential impact on cardholder data

Evaluate each vulnerability's potential impact.
Consider exploitability and existing controls.
Rank vulnerabilities from highest to lowest risk.
Focus remediation efforts on high-priority items.
Reassess priorities regularly as new data emerges.

Implement and document a process for timely remediation of identified vulnerabilities

Establish clear timelines for remediation tasks.
Assign responsibility for each identified vulnerability.
Create a tracking system for remediation progress.
Document each step taken toward remediation.
Review process effectiveness regularly for improvements.

Ensure that patch management processes are in place and up to date for all systems

Review current patch management policies and procedures.
Verify that all systems are included in the process.
Ensure patches are tested before deployment.
Document all applied patches and schedules.
Schedule regular reviews of patch management effectiveness.

Test the effectiveness of remediation efforts to verify vulnerabilities have been addressed

Conduct follow-up scans after remediation actions.
Verify that previously identified vulnerabilities are removed.
Document results of effectiveness tests.
Communicate results with relevant stakeholders.
Adjust remediation processes based on findings.

Maintain an inventory of all software and hardware assets to facilitate vulnerability management

Create and maintain a comprehensive asset inventory.
Include details such as version numbers and configurations.
Regularly update the inventory with new assets.
Review the inventory for accuracy periodically.
Use the inventory to guide vulnerability scanning efforts.

Review third-party vendor security practices and their impact on vulnerability management

Evaluate vendors' security policies and practices.
Request security assessments and reports from vendors.
Assess third-party risks related to vulnerabilities.
Maintain documentation of vendor security evaluations.
Integrate findings into the overall vulnerability management strategy.

Conduct periodic penetration testing to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in the environment

Schedule penetration tests at regular intervals.
Use qualified third-party services for unbiased testing.
Document all findings and vulnerabilities discovered.
Review test results to prioritize remediation efforts.
Implement corrective actions based on test outcomes.

Train staff on recognizing and reporting vulnerabilities and security incidents

Develop training materials focused on vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular training sessions for all staff.
Promote a culture of security awareness.
Provide clear reporting procedures for vulnerabilities.
Evaluate training effectiveness and adjust as necessary.

Review and update vulnerability management policies and procedures regularly

Set a schedule for policy review (e.g., quarterly).
Gather feedback from stakeholders on current policies.
Incorporate changes based on industry best practices.
Document all policy revisions for compliance.
Communicate changes to all relevant personnel.

Document and track all identified vulnerabilities, remediation efforts, and their outcomes

Use a centralized system for tracking vulnerabilities.
Log all identified vulnerabilities with relevant details.
Document remediation actions taken and their results.
Review and summarize vulnerability tracking reports regularly.
Ensure records are accessible for audits and assessments.

6. Incident Response

Review incident response plan and ensure all team members are familiar with it.

Schedule regular training sessions for team members.
Distribute the incident response plan documentation.
Encourage team members to ask questions.
Conduct quizzes to ensure understanding.
Update team on any changes to the plan.

Confirm that any security incidents have been logged and investigated.

Check the incident log for completeness.
Verify investigation notes are documented.
Ensure all incidents are categorized.
Assign responsible personnel for each incident.
Review findings and resolutions for accuracy.

Ensure that contact information for incident response team is current and accessible.

Collect updated contact information from all team members.
Store contacts in a centralized location.
Verify accessibility of contact list for all staff.
Implement a regular review schedule for updates.
Notify team members of any changes.

Conduct regular tabletop exercises to simulate incident response scenarios and improve team preparedness

Plan exercises with realistic scenarios.
Invite all relevant stakeholders to participate.
Document roles and responsibilities for each exercise.
Debrief after exercises to discuss performance.
Adjust future exercises based on feedback.

Review and update incident response procedures to reflect any changes in technology, business processes, or security threats

Conduct a quarterly review of procedures.
Collaborate with IT and security teams for updates.
Incorporate feedback from previous incidents.
Document and communicate any changes.
Ensure compliance with current regulations.

Ensure that all incidents are categorized based on severity and impact to prioritize response efforts effectively

Define clear criteria for categorization.
Train team members on classification processes.
Review incidents regularly for accurate categorization.
Use a standardized scoring system for severity.
Adjust response plans based on incident categories.

Establish a communication plan for informing stakeholders and affected parties about incidents as necessary

Identify key stakeholders and their information needs.
Outline communication channels and methods.
Create template messages for efficiency.
Schedule regular updates as needed.
Document all communications related to incidents.

Maintain an inventory of critical assets and data to facilitate incident response and recovery efforts

Create a comprehensive asset list.
Regularly update the inventory to reflect changes.
Classify assets based on sensitivity and importance.
Ensure easy access to the inventory for the response team.
Review inventory during incident response drills.

Implement a mechanism for tracking the status of ongoing incidents and their resolutions

Use a ticketing system for incident tracking.
Assign unique identifiers for each incident.
Update incident status regularly.
Ensure visibility of incident status for all stakeholders.
Generate reports on incident progress and resolutions.

Review lessons learned from past incidents to identify areas for improvement in the incident response process

Conduct post-incident reviews promptly.
Gather input from all involved personnel.
Document key takeaways and recommendations.
Integrate lessons into training and procedures.
Share findings with the broader organization.

Ensure that any legal and regulatory requirements related to incident reporting are understood and followed

Research applicable laws and regulations.
Train the incident response team on compliance.
Maintain a checklist of reporting requirements.
Document all reported incidents for legal purposes.
Review legal obligations regularly for updates.

Develop and maintain a checklist for first responders to follow during initial incident assessment and containment

Create a detailed checklist covering key actions.
Distribute the checklist to all first responders.
Review and update the checklist regularly.
Test checklist effectiveness during drills.
Ensure availability of the checklist in emergencies.

Verify that incident response tools and technologies are functioning properly and updated as needed

Conduct regular audits of tools and systems.
Ensure all software is up to date.
Create a maintenance schedule for tools.
Gather feedback from users on tool effectiveness.
Document any issues and resolutions.

Conduct post-incident reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of the response and update the incident response plan accordingly

Schedule reviews shortly after incidents conclude.
Involve all relevant team members in discussions.
Document findings and areas for improvement.
Revise the incident response plan based on feedback.
Share insights with the entire organization.

7. Training and Awareness

Verify that all employees have completed PCI DSS training within the required timeframe.

Check training records for completion dates.
Identify employees who have not completed training.
Send reminders to those who are overdue.
Document compliance status for audit purposes.

Review training materials for relevance and update as necessary.

Assess current training content against PCI DSS updates.
Solicit feedback from employees on training materials.
Incorporate new security threats into the curriculum.
Schedule regular reviews to ensure ongoing relevance.

Ensure that security awareness programs are in place and actively promoted.

Create a calendar of security awareness events.
Distribute newsletters highlighting security topics.
Use posters and digital signage to promote awareness.
Engage employees through interactive sessions or workshops.

Conduct regular assessments to evaluate employees' understanding of PCI DSS requirements and security practices

Develop quizzes or assessments related to PCI DSS.
Schedule assessments quarterly or bi-annually.
Analyze results to identify knowledge gaps.
Provide additional training based on assessment outcomes.

Implement role-specific training for employees who handle cardholder data or have access to sensitive systems

Identify roles that require specialized training.
Develop tailored training modules for these roles.
Schedule training sessions based on role requirements.
Evaluate effectiveness of role-specific training.

Schedule periodic refresher training for all employees to reinforce PCI DSS knowledge and updates

Establish a training schedule for refresher courses.
Incorporate recent security incidents into training.
Use varied training formats to maintain engagement.
Track attendance and completion of refresher sessions.

Maintain records of training attendance and completion for all employees, including any follow-up training required

Create a centralized training database.
Log attendance for each training session.
Document any follow-up training actions.
Regularly review records for compliance audits.

Establish a mechanism for employees to report security concerns or incidents, and ensure they are trained on how to use it

Develop a clear reporting process for security issues.
Train employees on how to report incidents.
Promote the reporting mechanism through awareness campaigns.
Ensure timely responses to reported incidents.

Encourage participation in phishing simulations and other security drills to enhance practical awareness of security threats

Organize regular phishing simulation exercises.
Provide feedback to employees after simulations.
Use drills to test response to security incidents.
Incorporate lessons learned into future training.

Gather feedback from employees on training effectiveness and areas for improvement to enhance future training sessions

Distribute surveys post-training to collect feedback.
Hold focus groups to discuss training experiences.
Analyze feedback to identify common themes.
Adjust training programs based on employee input.

Provide resources and quick reference guides for employees to access up-to-date PCI DSS information easily

Create a digital resource library for PCI DSS materials.
Develop quick reference guides for common queries.
Ensure resources are easily accessible on the intranet.
Regularly update materials to reflect changes in standards.

Promote a culture of security by recognizing and rewarding employees for demonstrating best security practices and reporting potential threats

Establish a rewards program for security best practices.
Highlight employee contributions in company communications.
Create a recognition board for security champions.
Encourage peer-to-peer recognition among employees.

Ensure that training programs address the latest updates and changes in PCI DSS standards and requirements

Stay informed about PCI DSS updates and revisions.
Incorporate changes into training materials promptly.
Notify employees about significant changes in standards.
Review and update training content regularly.

8. Documentation and Reporting

Confirm that all compliance-related documentation is accurately maintained and accessible.

Verify all documents are current and reflect the latest standards.
Organize documents in a logical structure for easy navigation.
Ensure all documents are stored in a secure, central location.

Review daily compliance reports for any discrepancies or areas of concern.

Analyze daily reports for anomalies or missing data.
Document any findings and prioritize issues for resolution.
Escalate significant discrepancies to management immediately.

Ensure that any issues identified are documented and addressed in a timely manner.

Create a tracking system for identified issues.
Assign responsibilities for addressing each issue.
Set deadlines for resolution and follow up regularly.

Establish a clear version control process for all compliance documentation to ensure that only the most current versions are in use

Define version numbering and naming conventions.
Implement a review process before document updates.
Archive outdated versions to maintain a historical record.

Maintain a log of all changes made to compliance documentation, including the date, the nature of the change, and who authorized it

Use a standardized format for logging changes.
Ensure logs are easily accessible for audits.
Review logs periodically for compliance with processes.

Ensure that all relevant stakeholders are notified of changes to compliance documentation in a timely manner

Develop a notification system for document updates.
Identify stakeholders who need to be informed.
Provide summaries of changes and their implications.

Conduct a quarterly review of all compliance-related documentation to verify completeness and accuracy

Schedule quarterly review meetings with stakeholders.
Assess each document against current PCI DSS requirements.
Document any changes needed and assign tasks for updates.

Implement a secure storage solution for sensitive compliance documents to protect them from unauthorized access

Choose an encrypted storage solution.
Restrict access to authorized personnel only.
Regularly audit access logs for compliance.

Review and update policies and procedures to reflect any changes in PCI DSS requirements or organizational practices

Stay informed on updates to PCI DSS standards.
Involve key stakeholders in the review process.
Communicate changes to all relevant personnel.

Ensure that all documentation is easily accessible to authorized personnel while maintaining appropriate security controls

Set up user permissions based on roles.
Implement multi-factor authentication for access.
Regularly review access logs to ensure compliance.

Create and distribute a summary report of compliance status to relevant management and stakeholders on a regular basis

Determine the frequency of reporting (e.g., monthly, quarterly).
Include key metrics and areas of concern in the report.
Distribute reports to relevant stakeholders promptly.

Document and track all training sessions related to compliance documentation to ensure all team members are informed of their responsibilities

Maintain a training schedule for compliance topics.
Record attendance and feedback for each session.
Update training materials based on feedback and changes.

Establish a process for regular feedback on the clarity and usability of compliance documentation from end users to inform future updates

Create a feedback form for users to fill out.
Review feedback regularly to identify common issues.
Implement changes based on feedback and communicate updates.

9. Review and Audit

Schedule regular audits of compliance processes and controls.

Define audit frequency based on risk assessment.
Assign responsible personnel for scheduling.
Communicate schedules to all relevant teams.
Ensure resources are allocated for audit preparation.
Document the audit process and timelines.

Review findings from previous audits and ensure corrective actions have been implemented.

Collect all previous audit reports.
Identify outstanding issues and corrective actions.
Verify implementation of corrective measures.
Document progress and any barriers encountered.
Report findings to management for accountability.

Document any changes to compliance practices or controls based on audit findings.

Create a change log for compliance practices.
Detail the reason for each change.
Ensure changes are approved by relevant stakeholders.
Communicate changes to all involved parties.
Review changes periodically for effectiveness.

Establish a process for tracking and managing audit findings and associated remediation actions

Utilize a tracking system for audit findings.
Assign responsibility for each remediation action.
Set deadlines for completion of actions.
Regularly update the status of remediation efforts.
Review tracking reports in management meetings.

Conduct a risk assessment to identify areas of non-compliance or potential vulnerabilities

Gather data on current compliance status.
Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities.
Rank risks based on their impact and likelihood.
Document findings and prioritize remediation efforts.
Involve relevant stakeholders in the assessment.

Review audit logs and reports regularly to identify trends or recurring issues

Set a schedule for log review sessions.
Use analytics tools to identify trends.
Document any recurring issues observed.
Discuss findings in team meetings.
Adjust controls based on documented trends.

Ensure that all relevant stakeholders are informed of audit schedules and findings

Develop a stakeholder list for communication.
Create a communication plan for audit results.
Use email or meetings to share schedules.
Gather feedback from stakeholders post-audit.
Ensure transparency in audit findings.

Perform a gap analysis to compare current compliance status against PCI DSS requirements

Review current compliance documentation.
List PCI DSS requirements and current status.
Identify gaps in compliance.
Document findings and recommended actions.
Share analysis results with management.

Verify that audit activities are conducted by qualified and independent personnel

Establish criteria for qualified auditors.
Ensure independence from audited areas.
Verify credentials and experience of audit team.
Document auditor qualifications and assignments.
Review auditor performance post-audit.

Incorporate feedback from audits into the continuous improvement process for compliance controls

Collect feedback from auditors and stakeholders.
Review feedback during compliance meetings.
Develop action items from feedback received.
Track implementation of improvements.
Communicate updates to all relevant parties.

Maintain a repository of all audit documentation for easy reference and historical tracking

Choose a secure and accessible storage solution.
Organize documents by date and type.
Ensure all team members know how to access the repository.
Regularly back up documentation.
Review and update repository structure as needed.

Schedule follow-up reviews to assess the effectiveness of corrective actions taken after audits

Set dates for follow-up reviews post-audit.
Document the objectives of each review.
Involve responsible parties in follow-ups.
Assess and report on effectiveness of actions.
Adjust plans based on follow-up findings.

Ensure that audit findings and compliance status are communicated to executive management and relevant parties

Prepare a summary report for management.
Schedule a presentation to discuss findings.
Highlight key compliance issues and risks.
Document decisions made during the presentation.
Follow up on management feedback.

Review and update audit methodologies and tools to ensure they remain effective and aligned with current standards

Evaluate current methodologies for effectiveness.
Research updates in audit standards.
Solicit feedback from audit personnel.
Implement necessary changes to methodologies.
Document updates and communicate to the team.

Establish a policy for the frequency of internal assessments based on the organization’s risk profile and changes in the business environment

Define criteria for assessment frequency.
Align policy with organizational risk appetite.
Communicate policy to all relevant stakeholders.
Review and adjust policy annually.
Document any changes to the assessment schedule.

Download CSV Download JSON Download Markdown

Use in Manifestly

AI Checklist Generator

Daily compliance checklist for PCI DSS 4.0

1. Security Management

2. Access Control

3. Network Security

4. Data Protection

5. Vulnerability Management

6. Incident Response

7. Training and Awareness

8. Documentation and Reporting

9. Review and Audit

Related Checklists

Security Checklist

Server Maintenance Checklist

Desktop Configuration Checklist

Incident Response Checklist

Data Backup Checklist

Software Update Checklist

Server Configuration Checklist

Performance Monitoring Checklist

Network Maintenance Checklist

Patch Management Checklist

Disaster Recovery Checklist

Software Installation Checklist

User Access Control Checklist