What is a PCI QSA?

For any business that handles and processes customer card details, a strong cybersecurity plan is vital. Companies that fail to secure cardholder data effectively risk their customers losing significant money through data breaches and direct hacks.

Thankfully, there are ways for firms to ensure they have a strong IT security posture to stand up against potential threats. A PCI QSA, for example, can help companies set up strategies that not only protect financial data against the worst-case scenarios but also keep them compliant with regulators.

In this guide, we’ll explore what a PCI QSA / QSAC does, why service providers need them, and how you can get and assessment from a QSA.

What is a PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA)?

A PCI Qualified Security Assessor, also known as a PCI QSA, is a qualified data security expert that specializes in PCI DSS compliance assessments.

PCI DSS, or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, is a regulatory standard that recommends security controls to prevent payment card fraud.

PCI QSA services can help businesses:

• Identify potential security threats
• Run full security assessments in line with PCI DSS standards
• Set up security remediation processes
• Perform a cybersecurity gap analysis (specifically relating to card security)
• Keep in line with PCI DSS requirements to avoid fines and prosecution

Specifically, a QSA employee must work for a PCI-approved QSA company or QSAC. Certified by the PCI Security Standards Council, these professionals guarantee that audits are thorough and compliant with PCI DSS standards.

Any company accepting card payments must ensure they comply with PCI DSS They must do this once a year, either, by completing a SAQ or self-assessment questionnaire or by being assessed by a QSA.

A professional QSA advises business operators on where they might be going wrong with payment card security. They run a thorough hardware and software risk assessment and analyze IT policies to ensure payment card data is properly secured.

At the end of the process, they prepare a complete RoC, or Report on Compliance, to confirm their findings and any measures they suggest. A company or merchant will then have an AoC, or Attestation of Compliance, to confirm that they’ve undergone PCI auditing.

The Benefits of Using a QSA for PCI Compliance

The major overall benefit to using a QSA for PCI compliance is, of course, that you can make sure your customers’ financial data is safe. However, there are a few further benefits to consider when looking for your own QSA:

• It’s often quicker and easier than filling out a questionnaire. Hiring a QSA is a smoother process for many business owners than navigating through various forms and tick-boxes. QSAs know what the PCI DSS requirements are and work meticulously to help companies meet them.
• It’s an impartial and balanced process. Professional QSAs aren’t connected to any regulatory bodies. They’re employed by QSACs, but the work they carry out is independent and unbiased. Companies hiring them can expect fair, balanced, and objective assessments.
• QSAs can help companies spot hidden issues. It’s not always simple for business operators to spot security flaws. While it’s recommended that firms run regular security assessments such as penetration testing, QSAs can go deep on finding specific payment card data security risks and recommend how to fix them.
• You’re hiring experience and expertise from the get-go. QSAs are some of the most knowledgeable experts regarding PCI DSS compliance. They are fully certified to offer useful advice and help draw up security action plans.
• It’s peace of mind for business operators. Managing compliance demands isn’t always straightforward. With a QSA’s support, business owners and operators know that their security measures are robust and reliable. Moreover, they’re validated to be in line with PCI DSS expectations.
• It can be cost-effective. Hiring a QSA to run security assessments and analyses will, naturally, incur upfront fees. However, these costs are easier to manage than those you might incur running your own compliance analysis. Without a straightforward plan, these costs can grow out of control.

It’s worth noting that hiring a QSA to ensure PCI compliance isn’t a legal requirement. However, like hiring an accountant to manage your company finances, this professional support can save you time, money, and hassle. What’s more, the risk of falling foul of compliance errors is much lower – especially if you’re unsure of what to do on your own.

What is the Process for Getting a PCI QSA Certification?

To become a qualified PCI QSA, individuals must possess full PCI QSA certification. That means they must train under a qualification supported by the PCI Security Standards Council. To start this process, the QSAC they work with must be qualified by the Council or apply for such a qualification.

After a QSAC submits documentation and is approved to train QSAs, the Council helps it arrange training for people seeking individual certifications.

That means anyone aiming to qualify must pass an official training course, which will incur relevant QSA training costs. A QSA professional who passes the training and qualification will receive a full, personal certification, meaning they are recognized as being able to carry out audits and checks.

Professional QSA requirements stipulate that employees must:

• Have knowledge and experience in running PCI DSS assessments and other security checks
• Understand the PCI DSS regulations and how they apply
• Fully immerse themselves in the security audit procedures outlined by the PCI
• Work directly with a verified QSAC
• Receive regular retraining and refreshment on PCI principles via the PCI SSC
• Undertake yearly PCI SSC examinations
• Be knowledgeable about current PCI DSS trends and understand how to use industry-standard tools and processes
• Hold security certifications that apply to their specific industry

Choose the Right QSA

Although it shouldn’t be the case that different QSAs give you different answers and advice regarding cybersecurity concerns, it is possible. Ultimately, their support depends entirely on what you present to them.

However, there are still some important steps you should take when looking for the right professional QSA to support your card security and PCI DSS compliance. Here’s what we recommend.

1. Look for a QSAC officially recognized and qualified through the PCI SSC. Never hire an independent QSA without verifying their experience, credentials, and references – always prioritize current, certified QSACs.
2. Run due diligence by checking your QSAC’s references and asking questions regarding case studies and clients. This way, you can compare your needs to other firms a QSAC has supported, and get a clearer idea of whether or not they will be an appropriate fit.
3. Prioritize working with a QSAC with demonstrable technical expertise related to your specific tools and software. Most professional QSACs will be more than willing to inform you of their expertise and specialties.
4. Ensure your chosen QSA/QSAC will be available to carry out the checks you need within the timescales you require. Prioritize those companies, too, that are proactive in setting up clear action plans on your behalf.

Finding the right QSA can take time and effort, and there are no guarantees you will find an ideal fit right away. It’s wise to research the market carefully on pricing and client reviews in addition to the above recommendations.

Make Compliance Quicker and Easier with a QSA

One thing is for certain – PCI non-compliance can be costly, both from financial and reputational angles. Fees for non-compliance with PCI DSS guidelines could cost you as much as $500,000 – and that’s all based on how severely you breach the rules expected of you.

Therefore, if you are uncertain about keeping compliant with PCI DSS guidelines and genuinely care about your customers’ financial data, working with a QSA is a must.

Hiring a PCI qualified security assessor to analyze and suggest security measures takes complex and often costly fact-finding out of your hands. And even for the smallest organizations where working with a QSA isn’t required, it is very much recommended.

There are many boxes you need to tick both onsite and in the cloud regarding security policies and data protection. The fastest way to get compliant and keep data safe is to ask for help – and, alongside hiring a QSA, you should always consider what else security companies such as VikingCloud can do for you to tighten up your security posture.