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Struggling with PCI DSS compliance? You need manual penetration testing, but traditional firms are too slow and expensive. We deliver affordable, expert-led manual pentests with reports in about a week so you can get compliant fast.
What PCI DSS Penetration Testing Really Means
Think of a PCI DSS penetration test as a fire drill for your payment systems. It's not a simple automated scan that finds obvious problems. Instead, it's a hands-on, manual attack simulation by a real person to find security holes an attacker could actually use.
The goal is to see if someone could break into your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE), which is the part of your network that handles payment card info. The PCI Security Standards Council specifically requires manual penetration testing because automated tools can't think like a human hacker.
Our certified ethical hackers (OSCP, CEH, CREST) find the complex flaws that scanners miss. We built our service for IT managers and founders who are tired of high prices, slow reports, and few findings. We offer affordable manual pentests with actionable reports delivered in about a week.
Defining Your Scope and Cardholder Environment
Before a test starts, we need to know what to test. This is called the 'scope,' and it includes everything that touches payment card data, like servers and apps. This collection of systems is your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE).
The test also includes systems connected to the CDE, because hackers often use them as a backdoor. A smart way to manage this is with network segmentation. Think of it as building digital walls around your CDE to keep it separate, which can shrink your testing scope and save you time and money.
This process is about more than just a test; it's about securing data everywhere. This even includes things like using secure hard drive shredding practices that protect your business data and meet compliance for old equipment. For a full breakdown, check out our pci dss compliance checklist.
Internal vs External Pentesting Requirements
PCI DSS knows that threats can come from anywhere, so it requires two types of tests: external and internal. Think of it like securing a building. You need to check the front door locks (external) and make sure someone already inside can't get into the server room (internal).
An external penetration test simulates an attack from the internet. Our tester acts like a hacker trying to break through your public-facing systems, like your website and firewalls. This mimics a remote attacker trying to find a way in from the outside.
An internal penetration test assumes the attacker is already inside your network. This could be a malicious employee or a hacker who stole a password. The goal is to see if they can move around and steal cardholder data. This is a critical test of your internal security and network segmentation.
Why Manual Application Testing Is Required
Automated vulnerability scans are not enough for PCI DSS compliance. The PCI Security Standards Council is very clear: you need manual penetration testing for your applications, like your e-commerce website. Automated tools are good at finding known issues but they can't think like a real attacker.
A scanner follows a script and will miss complex flaws that a human expert can find. Our certified pentesters (OSCP, CEH, CREST) creatively combine small issues to discover major security breaches. Real-world attackers use their brains, not just scanners, and a manual test mimics their methods.
This hands-on approach is the only way to get real assurance that your security works. We provide this critical manual testing without the high price tag you'd expect. Learn more about our process with our web app pentesting services.
Annual and Event-Driven Testing Cadence
PCI DSS penetration testing is like a regular security check-up. You have a required annual appointment, but you also need to test after specific events. You must conduct a full penetration test at least once a year to check your defenses against the latest threats.
But security doesn't stop there. PCI DSS also requires you to test after any significant change to your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE). This could be adding a new server, updating your payment app, or changing firewall rules. This testing ensures your changes didn't accidentally create new security holes.
This is hard to do when tests take months to schedule and complete. We built our service around speed. By delivering affordable reports in about a week, we help you stay on top of both your annual and event-driven testing requirements without falling out of compliance.
Navigating Reports Remediation and Retesting
A pentest report is only useful if you can act on it. We provide reports that are simple and clear. You get a straightforward roadmap explaining each vulnerability, how we found it, and the exact steps your team needs to take to fix it.
PCI DSS requires a simple loop: test, fix, and retest. After your team fixes the issues we found, we jump back in to retest those specific vulnerabilities. This confirms the fix worked and the security gap is closed for good.
We make this cycle fast and painless. Our affordable retesting and quick turnaround mean you can get a clean report for your auditor without the usual delays or surprise costs. Strong security also means preparing for the worst by developing a robust data breach response plan.
Choosing The Right PCI Pentesting Vendor
Your choice of pentesting partner is crucial for PCI compliance. You need a team that's fast, affordable, and deeply understands PCI DSS requirements. The standard is clear: your testers must be qualified and independent.
Our pentesters hold top certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CREST, proving their expertise. We skip the corporate bloat and focus on delivering actionable results quickly. Our model is built for businesses that need to get compliant without breaking the bank.
A vendor must also use recognized industry standards like NIST SP 800-115, the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), and the OWASP Testing Guide. We handle these complexities for you, ensuring every test we perform meets the strict requirements of the PCI standard.
Ready to get a fast, affordable PCI DSS penetration test with a report in about a week? Contact us through our contact form to get started.