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Vasco Patrício and Vasco Patrício Executive Coaching

SECURE YOUR 

The PCI-DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, are a set of strict standards for any organisation dealing with card data.

They tell you how to store and transmit these data.

However, you'll hardly find a course that both covers the technical knowledge, but also practical applications and examples.

In short, most PCI-DSS courses are either only about the tech, or about the business.

If only you could find a course that combined both...

Well... that's what this course aims to change.

LET ME TELL YOU...

And by this, I mean,

Read more

SECURE YOUR 

The PCI-DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, are a set of strict standards for any organisation dealing with card data.

They tell you how to store and transmit these data.

However, you'll hardly find a course that both covers the technical knowledge, but also practical applications and examples.

In short, most PCI-DSS courses are either only about the tech, or about the business.

If only you could find a course that combined both...

Well... that's what this course aims to change.

LET ME TELL YOU...

And by this, I mean,

So, here is a list of everything that this course covers:

  • You'll learn about the clarification of all terms used in the PCI-DSS, including what is the CDE, what is Having a logging solution that is operating, logging specific events (such as all failed operations, all admin operations, all operations on CHD, etc), logging specific elements in each event (such as the user ID, the operation status, the affected resource, etc), as well as having a single time synchronisation mechanism for all logs, FIM (File Integrity Monitoring) on logs, frequent log review and proper log retention;

  • You'll learn all about Requirement 11 (Test Regularly), about performing regular scans for Access Points (APs), both authorised and non-authorised ones, as well as regular vulnerability scanning and regular penetration testing (from inside and outside, and multiple layers), as well as having FIM (File Integrity Monitoring) on all critical files, as well as having an IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection/Prevention System) to prevent attacks;

  • You'll learn all about Requirement 12 (Have an InfoSec Policy), which covers roles, responsibilities and owners at levels of the organisation, including varied topics such as technology usage policies, employee screening, employee awareness, third-party selection criteria, regular risk and vulnerability assessments, among others;

  • You'll learn about a review of all 12 requirements and general patterns among them, such as "denying everything" by default, using common sense for certain parameters, enforcing change management on all changes, and always prioritising security (both logical and physical);

MY 

Also, I suggest you make use of the free preview videos to make sure the course really is a fit. I don't want you to waste your money.

If you think this course is a fit and can take your fraud prevention knowledge to the next level... it would be a pleasure to have you as a student.

See you on the other side.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You'll learn about the terminology essential to the pci-dss, such as cde, chd, sad, pans, saqs, rocs, qsas, as well as other payment industry terms
  • You'll learn about the history of the pci-dss and its major revisions
  • You'll learn about how the assessment process works, with rocs and saqs, and a clarification of the 8 types of saqs
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 1, involving having a firewall configuration to isolate your card data, network documentation and more
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 2, including changing vendor defaults, isolating server functionality and securing vulnerabilities in devices
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 3 in terms of securing stored data, including encryption protocols, key lifecycle, key management and more
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 4, protecting data in transit, including masking plaintext pans and using strong encryption protocols such as wpa/wpa2
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 5, in terms of preventing malware through an antivirus solution that is frequently updated and frequently runs scans
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 6, in terms of developing securely, doing regular vulnerability assessment and patching
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 7, in terms of limiting access to card data by "need-to-know", minimising who accesses it formally
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 8, in terms of identifying access through unique user ids, strong authentication and mfa, password practices and more
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 9, in terms of physical security, visitor identification/authorisation, as well as media storage/transport/destruction
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 10, in terms of having a logging solution, logging specific required events, specific data points, and log integrity
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 11, in terms of doing regular ap (authorised + rogue) and ip audits, vulnerability testing, pentesting, etc
  • You'll learn everything about requirement 12, in terms of having a company-wide infosec policy, including employee screening, third-party screening, etc
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Syllabus

Course Introduction (v4.0.0)
Course Intro
Useful Information
Fundamentals (v4.0.0)
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Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
PCI Compliance Analyst
Directly aligned with the course material, a PCI Compliance Analyst is responsible for ensuring an organization adheres to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. This role involves interpreting complex requirements, conducting internal assessments, and preparing for external audits. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course provides a comprehensive understanding of all 12 requirements, from firewall configuration and secure data storage to logging and incident response. Learners will grasp the terminology, assessment processes like ROCs and SAQs, and practical implementation strategies, making this course essential for anyone aspiring to a career in PCI Compliance. It helps build a strong foundation for managing an organization's compliance posture and protecting sensitive cardholder data effectively.
Security Auditor
A Security Auditor systematically evaluates an organization's security posture against established standards, policies, and regulations. This role involves reviewing documentation, conducting interviews, and testing controls to identify vulnerabilities and compliance gaps. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course provides an unparalleled understanding of the PCI-DSS assessment process, including ROCs and the eight types of SAQs, which are central to performing and interpreting security audits. Learners will gain detailed knowledge of all 12 requirements, from secure development practices to physical access restrictions, offering a robust framework for evaluating an organization's adherence to stringent security directives. This course helps prepare individuals for an auditing role by focusing on the 'how' and 'why' behind security controls.
Cybersecurity Consultant
A Cybersecurity Consultant advises organizations on strategies to protect their information assets, often specializing in specific security frameworks or compliance mandates. This involves assessing current security measures, identifying gaps, and recommending solutions. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course is highly relevant for an aspiring Cybersecurity Consultant, especially one focusing on financial services or e-commerce. It offers deep technical insights into all 12 PCI-DSS requirements, covering everything from network segmentation and secure coding to data encryption and incident logging. The course's approach, combining technical knowledge with practical applications, provides the consultant with actionable strategies to guide clients in achieving and maintaining compliance, thereby enhancing their overall security posture.
Information Security Policy Specialist
An Information Security Policy Specialist develops, implements, and manages an organization's security policies, standards, and guidelines. This role ensures that security practices align with regulatory requirements and best practices. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course offers exceptional preparation for an Information Security Policy Specialist, with Requirement 12 dedicated entirely to 'Have an InfoSec Policy.' The course delves into establishing roles, responsibilities, technology usage policies, employee screening, and third-party selection criteria. Understanding these specific requirements and general patterns like 'denying everything' by default helps individuals craft comprehensive and enforceable security policies that not only meet PCI-DSS mandates but also foster a strong overall security culture within an organization.
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst identifies, assesses, and mitigates security risks to an organization's information systems and data. This career involves implementing security controls, monitoring for threats, and responding to incidents. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course covers numerous critical areas pertinent to an Information Security Analyst, including secure network configuration, vulnerability management, malware prevention, access control, and robust logging solutions. Understanding these requirements, particularly the emphasis on risk and vulnerability assessments in Requirement 12 and regular testing in Requirement 11, helps build a foundational knowledge of security best practices, crucial for protecting various types of sensitive information, not just card data.
IT Compliance Analyst
An IT Compliance Analyst ensures that an organization's information technology systems and operations adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. This often involves working with various compliance frameworks. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course serves as an excellent foundation for an IT Compliance Analyst, offering a deep dive into one of the most critical and complex compliance standards in the financial sector. By understanding the intricate details of all 12 PCI-DSS requirements, the assessment process, and the specific controls needed for cardholder data environments, learners develop a robust skillset for interpreting, implementing, and monitoring compliance. This course helps individuals apply structured compliance methodologies to IT systems, which is transferable to other regulatory frameworks.
Risk Management Analyst
A Risk Management Analyst identifies, assesses, and mitigates potential risks that could impact an organization's operations, finances, or reputation. In the context of cybersecurity, this involves evaluating threats and vulnerabilities. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course significantly contributes to the competencies required for a Risk Management Analyst. Requirement 12, focusing on having an InfoSec Policy that includes regular risk and vulnerability assessments, directly aligns with this role. The course's detailed exploration of secure practices like 'denying everything' by default, enforcing change management, and prioritizing security helps build a framework for understanding and evaluating potential security risks associated with cardholder data environments, which can be applied to broader organizational risk analyses.
Security Engineer
A Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains security systems and solutions to protect an organization's assets from cyber threats. This hands-on role involves configuring firewalls, deploying encryption, and securing networks. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course covers numerous technical requirements vital for a Security Engineer. Learners explore Requirement 1 (firewall configuration), Requirement 2 (securing vendor defaults), Requirement 3 (encryption protocols and key management), Requirement 4 (protecting data in transit), and Requirement 5 (malware prevention). The course’s blend of technical knowledge and practical application helps build a robust understanding of how to implement and manage controls that safeguard sensitive data, making it a relevant resource for those aiming to engineer secure payment card environments.
Vulnerability Management Analyst
A Vulnerability Management Analyst is responsible for identifying, assessing, and remediating security weaknesses across an organization's IT infrastructure. This career involves using scanning tools, prioritizing vulnerabilities, and coordinating remediation efforts. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course directly supports the work of a Vulnerability Management Analyst through its coverage of Requirements 6 and 11. Requirement 6 emphasizes developing securely and doing regular vulnerability assessments and patching, while Requirement 11 focuses on regular vulnerability scanning. The course helps build an understanding of critical infrastructure components that demand regular scrutiny for vulnerabilities, particularly in environments handling sensitive payment card data, providing a practical foundation for managing and reducing an organization's attack surface.
Data Protection Officer
A Data Protection Officer oversees an organization's data protection strategy and implementation to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and standards. While often associated with broader privacy laws, protecting sensitive data, like cardholder data, is a core responsibility. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course offers in-depth knowledge of how to protect stored and transmitted data (Requirements 3 and 4), limit access based on 'need to know' (Requirement 7), and manage data throughout its lifecycle (from the additional module's data retention and disposal section). This specialized course helps build a foundation for developing robust data protection policies and implementing controls that safeguard sensitive information, which is a critical aspect of a Data Protection Officer's role. This role typically requires an advanced degree.
Penetration Tester
A Penetration Tester simulates cyberattacks on computer systems, networks, and web applications to find security vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit. This proactive security role is crucial for identifying weaknesses before they are compromised. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course explicitly addresses the skills needed for a Penetration Tester, particularly within Requirement 11 (Test Regularly). This section covers performing regular penetration testing from inside and outside an organization and across multiple layers. The course provides context for the types of systems and data that need rigorous testing (cardholder data environments) and the necessity of such testing programs, helping individuals understand the strategic importance and practical methodologies behind effective security assessment.
Application Security Engineer
An Application Security Engineer focuses on securing software applications throughout their development lifecycle, from design to deployment. This involves identifying and remediating security flaws in code and application architecture. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course addresses key aspects relevant to an Application Security Engineer, primarily through Requirement 6, which is dedicated to 'Develop Securely.' This requirement covers secure coding practices, regular vulnerability assessments, and patching. Additionally, the course's advanced module includes Code Analysis and Code Signing. Understanding how applications interact with sensitive cardholder data and the specific security standards required helps engineers design and build applications that comply with stringent security mandates, thereby reducing the attack surface.
Fraud Prevention Analyst
A Fraud Prevention Analyst investigates suspicious activities and implements measures to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions or financial crimes. While often focused on transaction monitoring, foundational security practices are crucial. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course explicitly aims to 'take your fraud prevention knowledge to the next level,' making it directly relevant for a Fraud Prevention Analyst. Securing cardholder data through requirements like encryption, access control, vulnerability management, and robust logging solutions directly contributes to minimizing the risk of data breaches that could lead to fraud. By understanding how sensitive payment data is protected and assessed, learners may apply this knowledge to identify weaknesses that fraudsters could exploit.
Security Operations Center Analyst
A Security Operations Center Analyst monitors an organization's security systems, detects threats, investigates security incidents, and responds to alerts. This role is at the frontline of cybersecurity defense. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course may be useful for a Security Operations Center Analyst, particularly its coverage of Requirement 10 (Log Everything) and Requirement 11 (Test Regularly). Learners gain specific knowledge about logging required events, data points, and ensuring log integrity, which is foundational for effective security monitoring. Understanding IDS/IPS systems, vulnerability scanning, and incident response requirements in the context of PCI-DSS helps analysts recognize critical security events related to cardholder data and respond appropriately to safeguard sensitive environments.
IT Systems Administrator
An IT Systems Administrator manages and maintains an organization's computer systems and networks, ensuring their performance, reliability, and security. While often a broader IT role, the security aspects are paramount. The Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0 course may be useful for an IT Systems Administrator, particularly the detailed coverage of technical requirements that directly impact system configuration and maintenance. This includes Requirement 1 (firewall configuration), Requirement 2 (changing vendor defaults, isolating server functionality), Requirement 5 (preventing malware), and Requirement 9 (physical security). Understanding these standards helps administrators implement and maintain secure system configurations, manage access controls, and ensure that the infrastructure supporting cardholder data environments adheres to vital security protocols.

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fundamentals of PCI-DSS v4.0.0.
This comprehensive guide provides practical techniques for analyzing malware, including reverse engineering, debugging, and unpacking. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced malware analysts.
Is specifically dedicated to the topic of logging and log management, offering a comprehensive overview of the field, including its business aspects, technical challenges, and best practices. It is an authoritative guide for anyone looking to gain a deep and broad understanding of log management as a discipline. It must-read for professionals and students focusing on this area.
Covers a wide range of access control topics, including policies, technologies, and standards. It provides a comprehensive overview of the field, making it a valuable resource for those interested in gaining a broad understanding of access control.
Direct fit for understanding the application of log management in network security. It covers the principles and practices of network security monitoring, where logs are a critical data source for detecting and responding to threats. It's a highly practical guide for implementing a network security monitoring strategy that relies heavily on log analysis.
Delves into the technical aspects of threat hunting, using Ghidra, an open-source reverse engineering tool. It is an excellent resource for individuals looking to develop advanced skills in malware analysis and reverse engineering.
A more in-depth exploration than 'Network Security Essentials,' this book delves into the theory and practice of cryptography and network security. It covers a wide range of topics, from encryption algorithms to network security applications. comprehensive resource often used as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate-level courses.
Provides a comprehensive overview of data protection law and practice in the United Kingdom. It covers topics such as the Data Protection Act 2018, the GDPR, and data protection compliance.
Provides a practical guide to implementing an effective threat hunting program. It covers the entire process, from threat identification to response and mitigation. It is an excellent resource for organizations looking to establish or enhance their threat hunting capabilities.
Introduces the principles of data science and machine learning for malware analysis. It provides practical techniques for automating malware detection and classification.
A comprehensive overview of cybersecurity and information security, encompassing a wide range of topics from risk management to incident response.
This handbook concise reference for cybersecurity incident responders and heavily relies on the analysis of logs and other security data. It provides practical guidance on using logs during incident investigation and response, making it directly relevant to the application of log management in a security context. It's a useful reference tool for those focused on the defensive side of cybersecurity.
Offers insights into how Google manages large-scale systems, with a strong emphasis on monitoring and automation, both highly relevant to advanced log management strategies. It delves into the principles and practices of SRE, providing a framework for building reliable systems where logging plays a vital role in observability and incident response. It's a key text for understanding modern IT operations and the context of log management within it.
Incident response critical process that heavily utilizes log data to understand the scope and nature of a security incident. provides a practical approach to incident response, detailing how to use various data sources, including logs, to investigate and remediate security breaches. It's an important book for understanding the role of log analysis in the incident response lifecycle.
Offers a practical introduction to penetration testing and ethical hacking. It guides readers through the process of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in networks and systems. It hands-on guide suitable for those interested in offensive security and understanding how attackers operate.
Based on real bug bounty reports, this book offers practical insights into finding vulnerabilities in web applications. It's a valuable resource for aspiring bug bounty hunters and those interested in learning about common web security flaws through real-world examples.
Provides a practical guide to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It covers topics such as data protection principles, data subject rights, and data breach notification.
An in-depth exploration of cloud security, covering topics such as cloud security architecture, risk management, and compliance.
A comprehensive guide to incident response and computer forensics, covering both the technical and legal aspects of these disciplines.
Provides a historical and theoretical overview of data protection. It examines the relationship between data protection and technology, and discusses the future of data protection in the digital age.
This handbook starts with a broad overview of vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. It then dives into specific vulnerability detection and assessment techniques and steps, such as scanning, enumeration, vulnerability exploitation, and post exploitation. can serve as a good foundational book for understanding vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.
While not exclusively focused on log management, this book provides a fundamental understanding of system and network administration, which is crucial prerequisite knowledge for effective log management. It covers best practices in IT operations, including monitoring and management, laying a solid foundation. valuable reference for anyone involved in system administration, offering broad coverage of essential topics.
Building upon the concepts introduced in 'The Phoenix Project,' this handbook provides a more detailed guide to implementing DevOps practices. It emphasizes the importance of monitoring and observability throughout the software delivery pipeline, highlighting the critical role of comprehensive logging in achieving these goals. It's a valuable resource for understanding the operational context where effective log management is essential.
Introduces various tools and techniques used by cybersecurity blue teams, many of which involve the collection, analysis, and utilization of logs for security monitoring and defense. It provides an overview of different security tools and their relationship to log data, making it a valuable resource for understanding the practical application of log management in a defensive security posture.
Provides a practical guide to penetration testing, including vulnerability assessment. It good book for hands-on learning of vulnerability assessment and exploitation techniques.
By NIST provides a guide to computer security incident handling, including vulnerability assessment and incident response. It good book for learning about vulnerability assessment from an incident response perspective.
Provides a comprehensive overview of role-based access control (RBAC), a widely used access control model. It covers the theory, design, and implementation of RBAC systems, making it a valuable resource for those interested in understanding this specific aspect of access control.
Provides a business-driven approach to enterprise security risk management. It covers the process of assessing, managing, and mitigating security risks, including the role of threat hunting in the risk management process.
Splunk widely used SIEM and log management platform. provides practical guidance on using Splunk for collecting, searching, analyzing, and visualizing log data. While specific to Splunk, it offers valuable hands-on experience with a leading log management tool and demonstrates key concepts in practice. It's particularly useful for those focusing on tool-specific log management skills.
Provides a practical introduction to modern encryption, focusing on the algorithms and techniques used in real-world applications. It strikes a balance between theoretical concepts and practical implementation, making it suitable for students and practitioners interested in the cryptographic foundations of network security.
Provides a practical guide to deploying and managing Security Onion, an open-source security monitoring solution. It covers the installation, configuration, and operation of Security Onion, making it a valuable resource for threat hunters.
This book, written by former hacker Kevin Mitnick, provides insights into the human element of cyber threats. It covers the psychological and social engineering techniques used by attackers to compromise systems and steal information.
Covers the security challenges and best practices for cloud-based infrastructures. It provides guidance on how to protect cloud environments from cyber threats and discusses the role of threat hunting in cloud security.
By CERT provides a comprehensive guide to system and network security practices, including vulnerability assessment. It good book for learning about vulnerability assessment from a security best practices perspective.
While a broad cybersecurity certification study guide, the CISSP body of knowledge includes domains directly related to security operations, asset security, and security engineering, all of which heavily rely on effective log management for auditing, monitoring, and incident response. provides a high-level overview of the importance of logging within a comprehensive information security program. It serves as a good resource for understanding the broader security context of log management.
Focuses on securing and hardening Windows environments, which involves configuring logging and auditing policies to monitor for suspicious activity. It provides practical guidance on Windows-specific security settings and how they relate to generating relevant log data for security analysis. It's a valuable resource for those managing and securing Windows systems.
Provides a guide to using open source tools for penetration testing, including vulnerability assessment tools. It good book for learning about open source tools for vulnerability assessment.
Focuses on network security assessments including vulnerability assessment of networks and network devices, such as routers and switches. It provides a good understanding of network security and how to find and exploit security flaws in networks.
The CompTIA Security+ certification covers essential security practices, including monitoring and auditing systems, which directly involve log management. This study guide provides a good overview of the security concepts and technologies related to logging and security event analysis as covered in the Security+ exam objectives. It's a useful resource for those preparing for the certification and seeking a foundational understanding.
Understanding the fundamentals of operating systems is crucial for comprehending system-level logs. This classic textbook covers core operating system concepts, including process management, memory management, and file systems, providing the necessary background to interpret system logs effectively. It's a foundational text for anyone seeking a deep understanding of how operating systems generate log data.
A classic true story of early network intrusion detection, this book provides a captivating account of tracking a hacker through computer networks. While predating modern network security tools, it offers timeless lessons in vigilance, investigation, and the human element of security. It's an engaging read for anyone interested in the history of cybersecurity.
Understanding network traffic is fundamental to analyzing network-related logs. provides practical skills in packet analysis using Wireshark, offering a deeper understanding of the data that often populates network logs. It serves as excellent supplementary reading for anyone needing to interpret network-specific log entries and troubleshoot network issues using packet data.
Explores the dark side of technological advancement and its implications for security and privacy. While not a technical guide, it provides a thought-provoking look at emerging threats and the future of cybercrime, offering valuable context for understanding the evolving landscape of network security.
A strong understanding of networking is essential for interpreting network device logs and understanding network-based attacks. provides practical knowledge of networking concepts and devices, which is beneficial for anyone working with network logs. It's a helpful reference for gaining the networking background needed to effectively analyze network-related log data.

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