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Daily maintenance tasks that must be performed for PCI DSS 4.0

1. Security Monitoring

Review security alerts from firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Access the security alert dashboard.
Filter alerts by severity and type.
Examine each alert for potential threats.
Document any immediate actions taken.
Escalate critical alerts to the security team.

Monitor log files for unauthorized access attempts.

Access log management tools.
Search for failed login attempts.
Identify IP addresses with multiple failures.
Flag suspicious activities for review.
Ensure logs are archived for compliance.

Check for any anomalies in network traffic.

Use network monitoring software.
Review traffic patterns for unusual spikes.
Identify unknown devices on the network.
Compare current data with historical trends.
Investigate any identified anomalies.

Conduct daily reviews of security event logs from all critical systems

Access event log aggregators.
Filter logs by date and system type.
Look for events outside normal patterns.
Document any incidents requiring follow-up.
Ensure logs are retained according to policy.

Verify the functionality of security monitoring tools and ensure they are properly configured

Check the operational status of tools.
Review configuration settings for accuracy.
Test alerting mechanisms for effectiveness.
Update tools as necessary for optimal performance.
Document any changes made.

Analyze user behavior analytics to detect potential insider threats

Access user behavior analytics dashboard.
Review user activities for unusual patterns.
Identify users with elevated access levels.
Flag anomalies for further investigation.
Document findings for compliance purposes.

Review alerts from endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions

Access EDR alert dashboard.
Filter alerts by severity and timestamp.
Investigate alerts for potential threats.
Coordinate with IT for remediation actions.
Document any significant findings.

Monitor for unauthorized changes to system configurations or security policies

Review change logs for critical systems.
Identify changes made outside of policy.
Verify the authorization of changes.
Document and report unauthorized changes.
Restore configurations if necessary.

Check for compliance with security policies and procedures in daily operations

Review operational activity logs.
Ensure adherence to established protocols.
Identify any deviations from policies.
Document compliance status and issues.
Report non-compliance to management.

Review and analyze data from threat intelligence feeds to stay updated on emerging threats

Access threat intelligence platforms.
Review the latest threat reports.
Identify relevant threats to the organization.
Disseminate information to relevant teams.
Update security measures based on insights.

Track and assess vulnerabilities identified in previous scans for active exploitation attempts

Access vulnerability management tools.
Review previous scan reports.
Prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk level.
Monitor for signs of exploitation.
Document any actions taken.

Coordinate with the incident response team to ensure readiness for potential security incidents

Schedule regular meetings with the team.
Review incident response plans and procedures.
Conduct tabletop exercises for practice.
Document lessons learned from drills.
Ensure all team members are aware of their roles.

Document and report any significant findings or trends to management for further action

Compile daily security findings.
Highlight trends and recurring issues.
Prepare a report for management.
Include recommendations for improvement.
Schedule a review meeting to discuss findings.

2. Vulnerability Management

Scan systems for vulnerabilities using approved scanning tools.

Identify approved scanning tools suitable for your environment.
Schedule regular scans to cover all systems and applications.
Review scan results promptly and categorize identified vulnerabilities.
Ensure scanning tools are updated to detect the latest vulnerabilities.

Review and apply any critical updates or patches.

Monitor vendor notifications for critical updates and patches.
Assess the impact of updates on existing systems and applications.
Test patches in a controlled environment before deployment.
Deploy patches promptly to mitigate security risks.

Verify the status of previously identified vulnerabilities.

Maintain a log of previously identified vulnerabilities.
Check remediation status and ensure vulnerabilities are addressed.
Follow up on any outstanding vulnerabilities that require action.
Document any changes in vulnerability status for future reference.

Maintain an inventory of all hardware and software assets to identify potential vulnerabilities

Create and regularly update a comprehensive asset inventory.
Include details such as version numbers and configurations.
Identify vulnerabilities associated with each asset type.
Ensure all assets are covered in vulnerability assessments.

Establish a vulnerability assessment schedule to ensure regular scanning and assessment

Define the frequency of assessments based on risk levels.
Create a calendar for upcoming assessments and reviews.
Ensure all stakeholders are aware of the schedule.
Adjust the schedule based on changes in the environment.

Document and prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk level, potential impact, and exploitability

Use a standardized risk assessment framework for consistency.
Categorize vulnerabilities by severity and potential impact.
Prioritize based on exploitability and business context.
Regularly review and adjust prioritization as needed.

Implement a remediation plan with timelines for addressing identified vulnerabilities

Develop a structured remediation plan for each vulnerability.
Assign responsibilities and set clear deadlines for remediation.
Monitor progress and adjust timelines as necessary.
Document all remediation efforts for compliance purposes.

Conduct regular penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities that may not be detected by automated scanning tools

Schedule penetration tests at least annually or after significant changes.
Engage qualified third-party testers for unbiased results.
Review findings and prioritize vulnerabilities for remediation.
Integrate findings into the overall vulnerability management process.

Monitor threat intelligence sources for emerging vulnerabilities and adjust scanning and remediation efforts accordingly

Subscribe to reputable threat intelligence feeds.
Regularly review threat intelligence reports for new vulnerabilities.
Adjust scanning tools and remediation efforts based on new threats.
Share relevant threat intelligence with the team for awareness.

Train staff on secure coding practices to reduce application-level vulnerabilities

Develop a training program focused on secure coding standards.
Include regular workshops and hands-on coding reviews.
Evaluate staff knowledge through assessments and feedback.
Encourage a culture of security awareness among developers.

Review and update vulnerability management policies and procedures regularly to ensure they remain effective and compliant

Set a schedule for regular policy reviews, at least annually.
Incorporate feedback from audits and previous assessments.
Ensure policies align with current regulations and standards.
Communicate updates to all relevant personnel.

Evaluate third-party vendors for vulnerabilities in their systems and services that may affect your organization

Conduct risk assessments on all third-party vendors.
Request security documentation and vulnerability reports from vendors.
Monitor vendor compliance with security standards and practices.
Reassess vendor security periodically based on risk.

Engage in continuous monitoring to detect new vulnerabilities as they arise in your environment

Implement real-time monitoring tools for threat detection.
Set alerts for any changes in system configurations or software.
Regularly review logs and reports for unusual activity.
Ensure rapid response to any detected vulnerabilities.

3. Access Control

Review user access logs for any unauthorized access.

Access the log management system.
Filter logs by user activity.
Identify any failed login attempts.
Investigate unusual access patterns.
Document findings and notify relevant personnel.

Ensure that user accounts are reviewed and deactivated for inactive users.

Generate a list of user accounts.
Identify accounts inactive for 30+ days.
Notify users of impending deactivation.
Deactivate accounts not responded to after notification.
Document actions taken on each account.

Check for proper role-based access controls in place.

Review current role definitions and access levels.
Verify user assignments to roles.
Ensure least privilege is enforced.
Update roles as necessary.
Document role-based access control findings.

Verify that all user accounts have strong, unique passwords that comply with the organization's password policy

Audit user accounts for password strength.
Check compliance with password policy.
Reset weak or default passwords.
Encourage use of password managers.
Document password compliance results.

Monitor and log access to sensitive data and systems to ensure compliance with access control policies

Set up logging for sensitive data access.
Regularly review access logs.
Identify and investigate anomalies.
Ensure logs are securely stored.
Document all monitoring activities.

Conduct regular audits of user permissions to ensure they align with the principle of least privilege

Schedule regular permission audits.
Review permissions against job functions.
Adjust permissions that exceed necessity.
Document audit findings and corrections.
Communicate changes to affected personnel.

Ensure multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled for all remote access and sensitive systems

Review systems requiring MFA.
Verify MFA is enabled for all users.
Test MFA functionality.
Educate users on using MFA.
Document MFA status and issues.

Review and update access control policies and procedures to reflect any changes in the organization's structure or technology

Identify changes in organization or technology.
Review current policies against changes.
Update policies as necessary.
Distribute updated policies to staff.
Document the review and update process.

Ensure that access control mechanisms are in place for third-party vendors and service providers

Review vendor access requirements.
Implement access controls for each vendor.
Regularly audit vendor access logs.
Ensure vendors comply with security policies.
Document vendor access control measures.

Validate that access to cardholder data is restricted to only those personnel who require it for their job functions

Identify personnel needing access to cardholder data.
Implement access controls accordingly.
Regularly review access permissions.
Log access to cardholder data.
Document access validation results.

Log and review any changes made to user access rights to maintain a clear audit trail

Establish a logging mechanism for access changes.
Review logs regularly for accuracy.
Investigate unauthorized changes.
Document all access rights changes.
Ensure logs are maintained securely.

Ensure that all access control systems are kept up to date with the latest security patches and updates

Identify all access control systems in use.
Schedule regular patch management reviews.
Install updates and patches promptly.
Verify system functionality post-update.
Document maintenance and patch history.

Train employees on the importance of access control and secure handling of credentials

Develop training materials on access control.
Schedule regular training sessions.
Emphasize credential security practices.
Assess employee understanding through quizzes.
Document training attendance and feedback.

4. Data Protection

Verify that encryption protocols are functioning correctly for sensitive data.

Check configuration settings for encryption tools.
Test encryption implementation on sample data.
Review logs for any encryption errors.
Ensure compliance with industry standards.

Ensure that data backups are performed and are recoverable.

Verify backup schedules and completion status.
Test data restoration from backups periodically.
Check integrity of backup files.
Ensure backups are stored securely and offsite.

Check for compliance with data retention policies.

Review current data retention policies.
Audit stored data against retention timelines.
Identify and flag data for deletion.
Document compliance findings and actions.

Conduct regular audits of stored sensitive data to identify any unauthorized access or anomalies

Schedule regular audits of access logs.
Investigate any anomalies or unauthorized access attempts.
Document findings and remedial actions.
Ensure audits follow defined procedures.

Ensure that tokenization and/or masking techniques are implemented for sensitive cardholder data

Review tokenization and masking implementations.
Test functionality with sample data.
Confirm compliance with PCI DSS standards.
Document findings and any necessary adjustments.

Review and update access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data

Audit current access control settings.
Remove access for unauthorized users.
Update permissions based on role changes.
Document access control changes and rationale.

Monitor and log access to sensitive data to detect any potential breaches or unauthorized access

Ensure logging is enabled for sensitive data access.
Regularly review access logs for unusual activity.
Set alerts for suspicious access patterns.
Document any incidents and responses.

Assess and verify the effectiveness of data loss prevention (DLP) solutions in place

Review DLP policies and configurations.
Test DLP solutions against various data scenarios.
Document effectiveness and any gaps.
Update solutions as necessary.

Confirm that all sensitive data transmitted over networks is encrypted using approved protocols

Review network transmission protocols in use.
Test data transmission for encryption compliance.
Ensure encryption keys are managed securely.
Document compliance status and actions taken.

Validate that third-party vendors handling sensitive data are compliant with PCI DSS requirements

Review third-party contracts for compliance clauses.
Request and assess PCI DSS compliance documentation.
Conduct periodic vendor audits.
Document compliance findings and any actions.

Implement and regularly test data destruction processes for sensitive information that is no longer needed

Review data destruction policies and methods.
Conduct tests of destruction processes.
Document outcomes and compliance with policies.
Update procedures as necessary.

Review and update data classification policies to ensure proper handling of sensitive data

Audit current data classification categories.
Update policies based on data sensitivity assessments.
Train staff on updated classification policies.
Document changes and rationale.

Conduct regular employee training on data protection policies and procedures to ensure compliance and awareness

Schedule regular training sessions for employees.
Update training materials to reflect current policies.
Document attendance and feedback from sessions.
Evaluate effectiveness and adjust training as needed.

5. Incident Response

Review any incidents reported the previous day.

Gather all incident reports from the previous day.
Categorize incidents by severity and type.
Summarize key findings for team review.
Verify timestamps and affected systems.

Ensure that incidents are documented and escalated as necessary.

Confirm documentation of all incidents in the tracking system.
Escalate high-severity incidents to appropriate personnel.
Ensure all documentation follows company protocols.
Assign responsibility for follow-up actions.

Conduct a follow-up on any open incidents to ensure resolution.

Review status of open incidents.
Contact responsible teams for updates.
Document progress and any barriers to resolution.
Set deadlines for outstanding actions.

Analyze the root cause of reported incidents to prevent future occurrences

Gather data related to each incident.
Utilize tools for root cause analysis.
Document findings in a report.
Recommend preventive measures to avoid recurrence.

Update the incident response plan based on lessons learned from recent incidents

Review recent incidents and their outcomes.
Identify gaps in the current response plan.
Incorporate lessons learned into the plan.
Distribute updated plan to all stakeholders.

Communicate with relevant stakeholders about the status of incidents and any required actions

Prepare a status report on current incidents.
Identify stakeholders who need the information.
Schedule a communication session or send updates.
Encourage feedback and questions.

Review and update incident response documentation, including procedures and contact lists

Check for outdated procedures in documentation.
Update contact lists for incident response teams.
Ensure all changes are clearly marked.
Distribute updated documentation to relevant staff.

Conduct a brief team meeting to discuss recent incidents and share insights

Schedule a meeting with all relevant team members.
Prepare an agenda focusing on key incidents.
Encourage sharing of insights and lessons learned.
Document key points discussed during the meeting.

Monitor for recurring patterns in incidents to identify potential systemic issues

Analyze incident data for trends.
Create reports on recurring incidents.
Share findings with the incident response team.
Develop strategies to address identified patterns.

Ensure that all incident response activities comply with PCI DSS requirements

Review PCI DSS compliance requirements regularly.
Cross-check incident response activities against these requirements.
Document compliance status for audits.
Train staff on compliance expectations.

Test the effectiveness of incident response tools and processes on a regular basis

Schedule regular tests of incident response tools.
Simulate incidents to evaluate response effectiveness.
Document results and areas for improvement.
Make necessary adjustments to processes based on testing.

Review access logs and alerts to identify any suspicious activity related to incidents

Analyze access logs for anomalies.
Investigate alerts triggered by unusual access patterns.
Document findings and escalate if necessary.
Ensure logs are retained for further analysis.

Provide feedback and recommendations to improve security controls based on incident analysis

Compile a report of incident analysis findings.
Identify weaknesses in current security controls.
Suggest actionable recommendations for improvements.
Present feedback to security management for review.

6. Compliance Verification

Review compliance documentation and ensure all records are up to date.

Collect all relevant compliance documentation.
Verify that documents align with current PCI DSS requirements.
Update any outdated records or policies.
Ensure proper version control and access restrictions.

Confirm that any required PCI DSS reports are generated and stored securely.

Identify required PCI DSS reports for the organization.
Generate reports as per compliance requirements.
Store reports in a secure, access-controlled location.
Maintain a backup of all generated reports.

Check that all staff are aware of their PCI DSS responsibilities.

Distribute PCI DSS responsibilities to all relevant staff.
Conduct awareness sessions or training for staff.
Confirm understanding through quizzes or feedback.
Maintain a record of staff training and awareness efforts.

Conduct regular internal audits to assess compliance with PCI DSS requirements

Schedule internal audits at defined intervals.
Develop an audit checklist based on PCI DSS requirements.
Assign auditors and communicate audit schedules.
Document findings and recommend corrective actions.

Verify that third-party service providers are compliant with PCI DSS and maintain proper documentation of their compliance status

Request compliance documentation from third-party providers.
Review and validate the submitted documentation.
Ensure contracts include compliance obligations.
Keep a record of all compliance verification activities.

Review and update the organization's PCI DSS scope to ensure it accurately reflects the current cardholder data environment

Identify all locations and systems handling cardholder data.
Update scope documentation to include/exclude relevant systems.
Consult with stakeholders to confirm accuracy.
Review scope changes periodically or during major updates.

Ensure that all security policies and procedures are reviewed and approved at least annually

Set a schedule for annual policy reviews.
Assign responsible parties for each policy area.
Document all review activities and changes.
Seek approval from management for updated policies.

Maintain a log of any changes to PCI DSS compliance status and document the reasons for any changes

Create a change log template for compliance status.
Record all changes with dates and reasons.
Ensure proper review and approval of changes.
Regularly assess the log for trends or patterns.

Validate that all system components are included in the PCI DSS compliance assessment and that no in-scope systems have been omitted

Review the list of system components regularly.
Cross-check against the PCI DSS scope documentation.
Ensure all relevant systems are assessed for compliance.
Document any omissions and take corrective actions.

Document and track any remediation efforts related to compliance findings from previous assessments

Create a remediation plan for each finding.
Assign responsible teams for remediation tasks.
Set deadlines and monitor progress regularly.
Document completion and effectiveness of remediation efforts.

Ensure that any new technologies or processes introduced are evaluated for PCI DSS compliance before implementation

Establish a process for evaluating new technologies.
Involve security and compliance teams in evaluations.
Document assessment results and compliance gaps.
Obtain approval before implementation of new technologies.

Review and confirm that all employees have completed required PCI DSS training and that training records are maintained

Compile a list of required training sessions.
Track employee attendance and completion of training.
Review training materials for relevance and updates.
Maintain an organized database of training records.

Schedule and document regular reviews of the PCI DSS compliance program to identify areas for improvement

Set a regular schedule for compliance program reviews.
Gather feedback from stakeholders and audit results.
Document findings and action items from each review.
Implement changes based on identified improvement areas.

7. Employee Training

Ensure that all employees have completed PCI DSS training.

Review any new training materials for updates related to PCI DSS.

Document any training sessions conducted and attendees present.

8. System Integrity

Verify that antivirus and anti-malware solutions are up to date and functioning.

Check for the latest virus definitions.
Ensure real-time scanning is enabled.
Review recent scan results for threats.
Confirm software is set to update automatically.
Test the functionality of the antivirus solution.

Check the integrity of critical system files against known baselines.

Use hashing algorithms to generate file checksums.
Compare current checksums with baseline records.
Identify any discrepancies and investigate.
Document findings and remedial actions.
Schedule regular integrity checks.

Review configuration management logs for unauthorized changes.

Access the configuration management system logs.
Filter logs for unauthorized access attempts.
Identify changes made outside the approval process.
Report and rectify unauthorized changes.
Maintain records of all findings.

Conduct regular system patch management to ensure all software is updated with the latest security patches

Create a schedule for patch updates.
Verify the latest patches are available.
Test patches in a staging environment.
Deploy patches to production systems.
Document the patch management process.

Monitor and analyze system logs for signs of suspicious activity or anomalies

Collect logs from all critical systems.
Use a SIEM tool for real-time analysis.
Set alerts for unusual activities.
Investigate any flagged events immediately.
Review logs regularly for historical trends.

Perform regular backups of critical systems and verify the integrity of backup data

Schedule automated backups for critical data.
Test restore procedures to verify functionality.
Check backup media for corruption.
Maintain multiple backup copies in different locations.
Document backup schedules and results.

Implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized changes to critical files and directories

Select suitable file integrity monitoring software.
Configure monitoring rules for critical files.
Review alerts for unauthorized changes.
Investigate and document any discrepancies.
Regularly update monitoring configurations.

Review access controls for system resources to ensure only authorized personnel have access

Audit user accounts and permissions regularly.
Remove access for inactive users promptly.
Ensure role-based access controls are enforced.
Document all access control changes.
Review access logs for unusual activities.

Ensure that secure configurations are maintained for all systems, including servers and network devices

Perform regular configuration audits.
Compare current configurations to security benchmarks.
Remediate any deviations from secure configurations.
Document configuration standards and changes.
Train staff on secure configuration practices.

Regularly test and review disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure their effectiveness

Schedule periodic testing of recovery plans.
Simulate disaster scenarios to validate responses.
Update plans based on testing results.
Train staff on their roles during a disaster.
Document test results and corrective actions.

Assess and validate the security of third-party software and libraries used within the systems

Review security documentation from vendors.
Conduct risk assessments for third-party components.
Monitor for known vulnerabilities in third-party software.
Ensure third-party software is regularly updated.
Document assessment findings and mitigation strategies.

Document and review any changes to system configurations or application code to maintain an audit trail

Implement a change management process.
Maintain detailed records of all changes.
Review changes with relevant stakeholders.
Ensure changes are tested before implementation.
Archive historical change documents.

Conduct periodic vulnerability scans on systems to identify and remediate potential weaknesses

Schedule regular vulnerability scans.
Use automated tools for comprehensive coverage.
Prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk levels.
Remediate identified weaknesses promptly.
Document scan findings and remediation efforts.

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Daily maintenance tasks that must be performed for PCI DSS 4.0

1. Security Monitoring

2. Vulnerability Management

3. Access Control

4. Data Protection

5. Incident Response

6. Compliance Verification

7. Employee Training

8. System Integrity

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