PCI 3DS Compliance

Implement the 3DS Core Security Standard to securely authenticate consumers and enhance e-commerce and mobile commerce security.

What is PCI 3DS ?

The PCI 3-D Secure (3DS) Core Security Standard is a set of requirements developed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) to enhance the security of online payment transactions that use the 3DS protocol. The 3DS protocol is a messaging protocol that enables card issuers, merchants, and payment networks to authenticate cardholders during online transactions, reducing the risk of fraud.

The PCI 3DS Core Security Standard consists of a set of requirements and best practices that payment processing systems must adhere to in order to ensure the security of 3DS transactions.

Who needs PCI 3DS ?

PCI 3DS (3-D Secure) is required for any organization that participates in the 3-D Secure ecosystem and handles card-not-present transactions for payment authentication. This includes issuers (banks or financial institutions issuing payment cards), acquirers (entities that process payment transactions for merchants), merchants who want to offer an additional layer of security to their online payments, and service providers involved in the 3DS process (such as Access Control Servers, Directory Servers, and 3DS SDK providers). Compliance with PCI 3DS ensures that these entities properly implement security controls to safeguard authentication data, thereby reducing fraud and enhancing the security of e-commerce transactions.

A simple 3-step plan for PCI 3DS compliance

1

Identify your PCI 3DS scope

A scoping workshop is a collaborative session in which stakeholders and experts gather to define the scope of a PCI 3DS compliance assessment.

2

Perform a gap analysis

The gap analysis is used to identify areas where an organization may fall short of meeting the requirements and to develop a plan to address these gaps.

3

Get assessed and obtain your AOC

A PCI 3DS assessment is a formal evaluation of an organization’s adherence to the PCI 3DS requirements.

Here is how we help 3DS service providers

The services are designed to assist you from identifying what needs to be done all the way to obtaining your official 3DS Attestation on Compliance (AOC).

Compliance

Scoping Workshop

A PCI 3DS scoping workshop is a meeting between a payment processing system’s stakeholders and a qualified security assessor (QSA) to determine the scope of a PCI 3-D Secure (3DS) assessment.

The purpose of the workshop is to define the boundaries of the assessment, identify the system’s components and data flows, and determine the level of effort and resources required to achieve compliance with the PCI 3DS Core Security Standard.

During the workshop, the QSA will typically review the payment processing system’s architecture, network diagrams, and business processes to identify all components involved in 3DS transactions. The QSA will work with the stakeholders to map out the flow of cardholder data through the system, identify potential vulnerabilities, and determine the necessary controls and safeguards to protect against threats.

The outcome of the PCI 3DS scoping workshop is a scoping document that outlines the scope of the assessment, including the systems, people, processes, and technologies that will be assessed for compliance with the PCI 3DS Core Security Standard. The scoping document serves as a roadmap for the assessment and provides a basis for planning and budgeting for the assessment.

Overall, a PCI 3DS scoping workshop is an important step in the PCI 3DS assessment process, as it helps ensure that the assessment is comprehensive, accurate, and focused on the areas that are most critical for protecting cardholder data and preventing fraud.

man wearing gray polo shirt beside another guy in white shirt next to a dry-erase board

Compliance

Gap Analysis

A PCI 3DS Gap Analysis is an evaluation of a payment processing system’s compliance with the PCI 3-D Secure (3DS) Core Security Standard.

The gap analysis is conducted by a qualified security assessor (QSA) and is designed to identify any gaps or deficiencies in the payment processing system’s current security controls and practices compared to the requirements of the PCI 3DS Core Security Standard.

The purpose of the PCI 3DS Gap Analysis is to provide a baseline assessment of the payment processing system’s compliance with the PCI 3DS Core Security Standard, identify areas for improvement, and develop a roadmap for achieving compliance. The gap analysis involves a review of the payment processing system’s design, implementation, and testing to determine whether it meets the requirements of the PCI 3DS Core Security Standard.

The PCI 3DS Gap Analysis typically includes a review of the payment processing system’s policies and procedures, security controls, network infrastructure, and data protection mechanisms. The QSA will compare the payment processing system’s current state to the requirements of the PCI 3DS Core Security Standard and identify any gaps or deficiencies.

At the conclusion of the gap analysis, the QSA will provide a detailed report that outlines the findings, identifies areas for improvement, and recommends remediation strategies. The report can be used by the payment processing system to develop a roadmap for achieving compliance with the PCI 3DS Core Security Standard and improving the security of its online payment transactions.

person using MacBook Pro

Compliance

PCI 3DS Assessment (ROC/AOC)

A PCI 3DS Core Security Standard assessment is an evaluation of a payment processing system’s compliance with the PCI 3-D Secure (3DS) Core Security Standard.

The PCI 3DS Core Security Standard assessment is conducted by a qualified security assessor (3DS QSA) who evaluates the payment processing system’s adherence to the 3DS Core Security Standard’s requirements. The assessment involves a review of the system’s design, implementation, and testing to ensure that it meets the standard’s criteria.

The PCI 3DS Core Security Standard assessment is required for payment processing systems that use the 3DS protocol to authenticate online payment transactions.

It is designed to help ensure that these systems provide a high level of security for cardholder data and prevent fraud.

By achieving compliance with the standard, payment processing systems can demonstrate their commitment to security and reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents.

Virtual CISO, help other IT, PCI

Compliance

Assistance with PCI 3DS remediation

A consultant can help you remediate issues highlighted by a PCI 3DS gap analysis by providing guidance and expertise on implementing the necessary controls to address the identified gaps.

By working with a consultant, you can ensure that you are implementing the necessary controls to address the identified gaps and achieve compliance with the PCI 3DS. The consultant can provide you with the expertise and guidance you need to protect your customers’ data and ensure the security of your organization’s systems and processes.

Here are some ways a consultant can assist you with remediation:

  1. Developing a remediation plan: A consultant can help you develop a remediation plan that outlines the steps needed to address the identified gaps. The plan should include timelines, responsible parties, and specific actions required to remediate each issue.

  2. Implementing technical controls: The consultant can provide guidance on implementing technical controls such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption technologies that are necessary to achieve compliance with the PCI 3DS.

  3. Developing policies and procedures: The consultant can help you develop policies and procedures that are necessary to ensure compliance with the PCI 3DS. This includes policies related to access control, data retention, and incident response.

  4. Staff training: The consultant can provide training to staff on the PCI 3DS requirements and how to implement the necessary controls to address the identified gaps.

  5. Ongoing compliance: The consultant can help you establish an ongoing compliance program to ensure that your organization remains in compliance with the PCI 3DS. This includes regular monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and annual reviews.

Get your custom PCI 3DS Service Quote.

Because your business is unique, we created a PCI 3DS questionnaire designed to give you a personalised needs assessment in less than 7 minutes. 

Complete the questionnaire to get a customised quote for your own unique 3DS environment.

Your advisor is ready to help now.

Your details