Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard · Global
PCI DSS is the global security standard for organisations that process, store, or transmit payment card data. PCI DSS v4.0, which became mandatory in March 2025, has strengthened penetration testing requirements significantly. Requirement 11.4 mandates external and internal penetration testing at least annually and after significant changes, using an industry-accepted methodology.
Testing must cover the entire cardholder data environment (CDE), including network segmentation controls that isolate the CDE from other networks. PCI DSS requires that pen testing be performed by qualified internal resources or qualified external parties, and CREST-certified testers are widely accepted as meeting this qualification requirement.
Additionally, Requirement 11.3 requires quarterly vulnerability scans by an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV). PCI DSS v4.0 also introduces requirements for authenticated scanning and more rigorous testing of segmentation controls. Organisations must address all high-risk and critical vulnerabilities found during testing and retest to confirm remediation.
Particularly relevant for Retail and e-commerce pen testing providers.
Securing the payment terminals and POI devices themselves, not just the cardholder data environment? PCI PTS is the separate device-level standard. See PCI PTS penetration testing companies.
UK offensive security consultancy delivering CREST-accredited penetration testing, adversary simulation and CBEST, TIBER-EU and TBEST threat-led testing, mainly for financial services and other large organisations.
Penetration testing firm trusted by nine of the top ten US banks, with the Resolve platform for continuous attack surface management.
US penetration testing firm founded in 2011, running 600+ engagements a year with a fully remote, US-based team. Manual, expert-led testing across web, network, cloud, mobile, wireless, OT/ICS, and AI/LLM. Gartner Sample Vendor for PTaaS.
Global enterprise cybersecurity consultancy founded in 1999 in Oxford, holding rare CREST STAR-FS accreditation and delivering penetration testing, red and purple teaming, and PCI QSA services across five international offices.
Global Big Four professional services firm delivering CREST, CHECK, and CBEST-accredited penetration testing and red teaming services from London, serving the UK's largest enterprises and regulated organisations.
CREST and CHECK-accredited UK penetration testing and managed security provider formed in 2026 from Pentest People, Bulletproof, and Target Defense, with CREST STAR/TLPT-FS capability and the GuardNest vulnerability management platform.
Elite UK offensive security consultancy specialising in CBEST/STAR/TIBER red teaming, advanced adversary simulation, and CREST-accredited penetration testing for FTSE 100 clients.
Full-service London-based cybersecurity consultancy with CREST, CHECK, and NCSC accreditations delivering offensive testing, managed detection, and strategic advisory services.
Global managed security provider with the elite SpiderLabs penetration testing team and deep PCI DSS compliance expertise.
Manchester-based independent cybersecurity consultancy with over 20 years of experience delivering CREST and CHECK-accredited penetration testing, red teaming, and compliance certification services.
CREST and CHECK-accredited UK penetration testing consultancy with CBEST approval, specialising in infrastructure, application, and simulated attack assessments across the public and private sectors.
CHECK and CREST-accredited Birmingham-based cyber security consultancy with over 15 years of experience delivering penetration testing, red teaming, and OT security assessments for government and private sector clients.
PCI DSS v4.0 Requirement 11.4 requires annual external and internal pen testing covering the CDE and critical systems, testing from both inside and outside the network, and testing network segmentation controls every six months.
Testing must be performed by a qualified internal resource or external third party. Qualifications include industry-recognised certifications (CREST, OSCP) and demonstrated pen testing experience. The tester must be independent of the environment being tested.
PCI DSS requires an industry-accepted penetration testing methodology such as NIST SP 800-115, OWASP Testing Guide, PTES, or CREST standards. The methodology must be documented and followed.