PCI DSS
PCI DSS Certification
PCI DSS is the gold standard of trust in payments—without it, your business risks fines, breaches, and lost clients. For CEOs and payment leaders, compliance is not optional but a growth enabler. With Patronusec, you don’t just pass an audit—you transform security into a competitive advantage.
Act now and make your organisation unshakable in the global payments ecosystem.
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How can we help you?
At Patronusec, we specialise in safeguarding your organisation against vulnerabilities that put cardholder data at risk. Just like a Patronus repels dark forces, our team of PCI DSS experts will lead you through the entire certification journey with confidence and clarity. We analyse your payment environment, identify security gaps, and deliver all required documentation, including the PCI DSS certification report and Attestation of Compliance (AOC).
After you’ve signed the Attestation, we handle the submission to the card brands and provide you with a Marketing Certificate to showcase your compliance across your website and corporate materials. As an accredited PCI QSA (Qualified Security Assessor), Patronusec ensures that your PCI DSS audit is not just about meeting requirements—but about building lasting trust and resilience in your business.
How will we work with you ?
Stage 1
Scoping
The first step in PCI DSS certification is determining the scope. This involves defining the technologies, processes, personnel, and vendors that process or affect the security of cardholder data. Remember, the responsibility for scoping lies with you, though we are here to assist you with any questions. For further guidance, you may find this article useful.
Stage 2
Gap
Analysis
This step is optional, but highly recommended for new clients who may not be sure if they’re ready for a PCI DSS assessment. During the gap analysis, we’ll simulate the certification audit and pinpoint any areas of non-compliance, helping you address any weaknesses with practical solutions.
Stage 3
Certification
Audit
The PCI DSS audit can be conducted remotely, on-site, or in a hybrid format. You can learn more about what the audit involves here. Within two weeks of completing the audit, we will provide you with a list of required documents and evidence (we call this document a tracker) that you will need to submit to us.
Stage 4
Remediation and Evidence
Collection
You’ll have up to 90 days to provide us with the requested audit evidence or implement necessary corrections. The sooner you provide the evidence, the faster we can move forward with the certification process.
Stage 5
Reporting
This is the phase where we compile the detailed audit report, based on the evidence and documents you’ve provided. The report is a comprehensive document, spanning over 330 pages, detailing your cardholder environment. In addition, we perform a QA process before finalising the report. On average, this step takes up to a month.
Stage 6
Completion
This is the step we truly value. If the audit is successful, we’ll provide you with an Attestation of Compliance (AOC) for electronic signature. After completing the audit, we’ll also assist you with registration with the card organisations and issue a Marketing Certificate to help demonstrate your commitment to PCI DSS compliance.
Certification audit
The PCI DSS certification audit combines on-site and remote activities aimed at confirming your organisation’s compliance with the PCI DSS standard. The audit consists of four essential components:
Interviews Before the audit, we’ll provide you with an agenda and outline the topics to be discussed with your staff or vendors. The aim of these interviews is to get a deeper understanding of your organisation, the scope of responsibilities, and how you manage your cardholder data environment.
Configuration Review The next step involves reviewing and verifying the configuration of your environment. We will ask your team to show us the configuration of systems, devices, and tools, as well as elements such as access control systems and alarm systems. During this review, we may also ask for specific audit evidence.
Review of Management Processes This step focuses on reviewing the processes that govern your cardholder data environment. We will request items such as change request reports, evidence of log reviews, and documentation of patch management activities.
Documentation Review This stage is typically done remotely. We’ll ask you to provide a list of documents describing your cardholder data environment, including network diagrams, policies, and procedures. Please ensure that these documents are up-to-date, with the last review date not older than 12 months.
After the audit, we will provide you with a tracker—a document that consolidates all observations, documents, and evidence. The tracker is our way of ensuring that once you provide us with all required elements, we can proceed to work on the final report.
FAQ - PCI DSS Certification
How long does the PCI DSS certification process take? ›
The average duration of the entire process, from defining the scope to issuing the certificate, ranges from 10 to 20 weeks. The exact timeframe depends on the organisation’s readiness, ability to adapt to the certification requirements, and the pace at which the required audit evidence is provided.
How much does PCI DSS implementation or certification cost? ›
The cost depends on the size of the organisation, the number of systems in scope, number of locations, staff count, business processes, and the existing security maturity level. The quotation is always provided individually after a free consultation, during which we define the project scope and prepare an action plan.
When can the certification process start? ›
The process can commence once the agreement is signed and the audit scope is confirmed. Patronusec has the largest team of PCI DSS auditors in Poland, enabling us to respond flexibly to clients’ timelines and expectations.
What does the cooperation look like during the project? ›
Certification is carried out in several stages: defining the scope, performing a gap analysis, conducting the certification audit, preparing the final report, and assisting with registration with the card brands. Each stage is handled in collaboration with a dedicated Patronusec consultant.
How long will it take to receive my PCI DSS certificate? ›
After completing the audit and submitting all required evidence, preparing the final report and the Attestation of Compliance (AOC) normally takes up to 30 days. Once the AOC is signed, you will receive your marketing certificate and the complete set of documentation confirming your compliance.
Is a gap analysis mandatory before the certification audit? ›
No, it is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended – especially for organisations undergoing PCI DSS certification for the first time. It helps identify non-compliances in advance and ensures the organisation is fully prepared for the formal audit.
How long is the PCI DSS certificate valid? ›
The certificate of compliance is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. After this period, a renewal audit is required to maintain continuous compliance.
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Patronusec Sp z o. o.
Head Office:
ul. Święty Marcin 29/8
61-806 Poznań, Polska
KRS: 0001039087
REGON: 525433988
NIP: 7831881739
D-U-N-S: 989454390
LEI: 259400NAR8ZOX1O66C64