Build and Maintain Secure Networks
Firewalls and access controls protect cardholder data from unauthorized access.
Frameworks
PCI DSS Framework
We’ll guide you through PCI DSS requirements in 3-5 months so you can process payments without risking your merchant account.
What Is the PCI DSS Framework?
If you accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information, PCI DSS compliance is mandatory. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard protects cardholder data and reduces fraud risk across every business that touches payment cards – from e-commerce sites to retail stores to SaaS platforms with recurring billing.
Non-compliance carries real consequences. Fail an audit or suffer a breach, and you’ll face fines from $5,000 to $100,000 per month through your payment processor. Worse, you could lose your ability to accept card payments entirely.
PCI DSS breaks down into six objectives:
To comply, your organization must perform documentation, technical controls, and quarterly vulnerability scans.
What TrustedCISO Can Do for PCI DSS Compliance
We guide you through PCI DSS from initial scoping to passing your assessment. You work directly with our well-seasoned experts who’ve helped dozens of companies navigate compliance without the usual confusion and delays.
What's included:
- Scoping & gap assessment
Define your cardholder data environment, identify compliance gaps, and determine which SAQ applies to your business - Policy & documentation
Create the required security policies covering access control, encryption, incident response, and vendor management - Technical control implementation
Configure firewalls, deploy MFA, set up logging and monitoring, and implement required security measures - Network segmentation strategy
Design network architecture that reduces your PCI scope and compliance burden - Testing & scanning coordination
Quarterly vulnerability scans with Approved Scanning Vendors and annual penetration testing - SAQ completion & evidence gathering
Guide you through the Self-Assessment Questionnaire with proper supporting documentation - Ongoing compliance monitoring
Year-round support to maintain certification and stay ready for your next assessment
We work with your existing payment infrastructure – no forced system replacements or unnecessary overhauls.
Our Packages
Versatile Packages That Support Your Goals
Clear pricing. No surprises. Pick the package that matches your stage or contact us for a consultation.
Launch
Accelerate Your First Compliance Journey
TrustedCISO gets you audit-ready for a single framework, without the guesswork, rework, or delays.
Best For
- High-growth companies that are ready to move fast.
Supported Frameworks
- SOC 2, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, GovRAMP, or HIPAA
What's Included
- Ongoing compliance for one framework
- US-based compliance team
- Expert-led gap assessment & risk analysis
- Customized policy creation
- GRC platform support & task management (Vanta, Drata, etc.)
- Audit preparation and coordination
- Trust Center configuration and support
- Sales and infosec support
- Accelerated audit readiness
Optional Add-ons
- Additional framework support
- Internal audit
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability scanning
Timeline
3–12 months
Pricing
Starts at $5,000/month
Sustain
Stay Audit-Ready. Year-Round
TrustedCISO handles ongoing compliance, security questionnaires, and continuous program improvement, so you stay audit-ready.
Best For
- Companies that have completed LAUNCH or are already compliant.
Supported Frameworks
- SOC 2, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, GovRAMP, or HIPAA
What's Included
- 10 hours of expert support monthly
- Ongoing compliance for one framework
- US-based compliance team
- GRC platform support & task management (Vanta, Drata, etc.)
- Audit preparation and coordination
- Trust Center maintenance
- Security questionnaire response
- Advanced CNAPP+ tool for cloud*
- Vulnerability scanning for cloud
Optional Add-ons
- Additional framework support
- Internal audit
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability scanning
- Backup solution
- Endpoint Detection &
- Response (EDR)
- SIEM 24×7 SOC
- DNS whitelisting/blacklisting
Timeline
Annual
Pricing
Starts at $3,000/month
* One cloud account license included
Learn More About SustainAscend
Compliance + Cybersecurity
Whether you need a full vCISO or fractional expertise, ASCEND scales to match your growth and complexity.
Best For
- Organizations investing in strategic security leadership, multi-framework compliance, and technical program maturity.
Supported Frameworks
- SOC 2, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, GovRAMP, or HIPAA
What's Included
- 20 hours/month of hands-on vCISO
- Multi-framework compliance management
- US-based compliance team
- CISO advisory or full program leadership
- Secure-by-design architecture consulting
- Cloud and infrastructure security assessments
- Vendor risk management program
- Incident response planning & testing
- Security questionnaire and exec reporting support
- Roadmap to cyber resilience
- Advanced CNAPP+ tool for cloud*
- Vulnerability scanning for cloud
Optional Add-ons
- Additional framework support
- Internal audit
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability scanning
- Backup solution
- Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
- SIEM 24×7 SOC
- DNS whitelisting/blacklisting
- Zero Trust
Advanced vendor management tool
Timeline
Multi-year
Pricing
Starts at $4,500/month*
* Flexes based on services
Learn More About AscendWhy Choose TrustedCISO for ISO 27001 Certification
We Decomplicate Payment Security
PCI DSS has over 300 requirements that read like technical manuals. We translate that into practical steps you can actually implement, without jargon or scare tactics about card brand fines.
Right-Sized for Your Business
A small e-commerce company doesn’t need the same controls as a payment processor handling millions of transactions. We implement appropriate security for your scale without over-engineering solutions that waste money and slow you down.
Transparent Pricing You Can Plan For
Our rate is $175/hour versus $300-500 for competitors. Initial PCI DSS compliance typically takes 60-100 hours depending on your business size and current security posture. After scoping, we’ll give you an honest estimate with no surprises.
Works With Your Payment Stack
Already using Stripe, Square, or another payment gateway? We coordinate with them to understand their compliance requirements and ensure your implementation meets their validation needs.
Continuous Compliance, Not Annual Panic
PCI DSS requires quarterly scans, annual testing, and ongoing monitoring. Our subscription packages keep you compliant year-round – not scrambling weeks before your assessment deadline.
Resources
Industry Insight from the Experts
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to be PCI DSS compliant?
Any business that accepts, processes, stores, or transmits credit card data. This includes e-commerce merchants, retail stores, restaurants, subscription services, and companies that store cards for recurring billing. If payment cards touch your systems, PCI DSS applies.
Do I need PCI DSS if I use Stripe or Square?
Yes, but your compliance scope is smaller. Payment processors handle most of the heavy lifting, reducing your requirements significantly. You’re still responsible for securing how data reaches the processor, managing website security, and proving your processor is compliant. Using a payment gateway doesn’t eliminate PCI DSS – it just simplifies it.
What's the difference between SAQ A and SAQ D?
SAQ A covers merchants who fully outsource payment processing with no card data storage. SAQ D applies when you process, store, or transmit card data on your own systems. Most businesses fall somewhere in between. We help determine which SAQ fits your specific payment environment.
How much do PCI DSS violations cost?
Card brands levy fines through your payment processor, typically $5,000 to $100,000 per month depending on your merchant level and violation severity. Data breaches cost far more – forensic investigations, notification expenses, legal fees, and potential loss of your ability to accept cards.
Do we need quarterly vulnerability scans?
Yes, if cardholder data touches your network. Approved Scanning Vendors (ASVs) must conduct external scans quarterly. High-risk vulnerabilities must be fixed and rescanned until you pass. As of March 2025, even merchants with minimal card data environments need quarterly scans.
What happens if we fail our PCI DSS assessment?
Your payment processor typically gives 90-180 days to fix identified issues and re-attest compliance. During this period, you’ll pay monthly non-compliance fees. If you don’t achieve compliance within the grace period, your processor may terminate your merchant account.
How long does PCI DSS compliance take?
Initial compliance takes 3-5 months for most businesses. Timeline depends on your current security posture, transaction volume, and how you process cards. Companies that already have strong security controls move faster than those starting from scratch.