How to Meet PCI SSF requirements

The PCI Secure Software Framework (SSF) ensures the security and integrity of payment software and systems by replacing older standards with comprehensive guidelines for deployment and lifecycle management. Compliance with PCI SSF enhances security resilience, minimizes risks of cyber threats, and ensures the protection of cardholder data and sensitive information throughout software operations. There are two key standards that act as requirements to gain PCI SSF compliance. Organizations benefit from securing expert guidance on PCI compliance best practices to meet these stringent requirements and secure their software assets effectively.

 

PCI SSF and Why Businesses Need It

The PCI Security Standards Council (SSC) has crafted various frameworks to ensure security across all payment infrastructure. Specifically, the PCI SSF applies to payment software and its vendors. PCI SSF replaces the older PA-DSS. Unlike PA-DSS, which was specifically designed for payment applications, PCI SSF is broader and covers a wider range of payment software and its development lifecycle. PCI SSF is a framework, encompassing the Secure Software Standard (which is for the software itself) and Secure Software Lifecycle Standard (which is for the processes and practices used to manage software security throughout its lifecycle). It is also designed to ensure the security and integrity of payment software and systems.

Consumers and clients relying on your organization’s payment software expect their payment cards and personal information to be safeguarded. As a result, developers and vendors of payment software must prioritize the security of their end users’ data. Hence, organizations managing these transactions have legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure the protection of consumer information, which may be essential for their business’ compliance.

 

How Does it Work?

The PCI SSF analyzes payment software vendors and their development processes to confirm compliance with essential baselines requirements. Payment software developers and vendors collaborate with a certified PCI SSF Assessor to evaluate their software and development practices in order to achieve assessment and certification. The Assessor is also who will conduct the official evaluation for compliance. Before the formal assessment, organizations have the option to engage with a PCI SSF Advisor for readiness checks, gap assessments, and targeted remediation plans to address any identified deficiencies. Unlike the Assessor, the Advisor can strictly provide preparatory support and is not involved in the formal certification process. By using this proactive approach, you can help ensure that payment software meets rigorous security requirements before undergoing official evaluation.

 

 

PCI SSF Standards

The PCI SSF includes two programs: the Secure Software Standard for deployment and the Secure Software Lifecycle (Secure SLC) Standard for development. Each consists of standards with defined objectives and a validation process that includes a program guide and reporting templates. Additionally, verified payment software is listed on the PCI SSC website. Requirements for PCI SSF come from upholding the Secure Software Standard and the Secure SLC Standard.

 

Secure Software Standard

The Secure Software Standard v1.2, released in December 2022, includes 12 Core Control Objectives organized into four core functions.

1. 1. Minimizing the attack surface: By identifying critical assets, setting secure defaults, and reducing the retention of sensitive data, you can safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of these assets.
      1. Control Objective 1: Identifying critical assets
      2. Control Objective 2: Securing default options
      3. Control Objective 3: Retaining sensitive data
   2. Software protection mechanisms: To ensure the integrity and confidentiality of software assets, it is essential to deploy software security controls.
      1. Control Objective 4: Protecting critical assets
      2. Control Objective 5: Controlling authentication and access
      3. Control Objective 6: Protecting all sensitive data
      4. Control Objective 7: Using cryptographic controls

• Secure software operations: Activity tracking increases visibility into threat risks which allows detecting these attacks to minimize their impact and in turn help secure software operations. 

1. 1. 1. Control Objective 8: Tracking activity
      2. Control Objective 9: Detecting attacks

• Secure software lifecycle management: Monitoring software security across its entire life cycle minimizes potential gaps and vulnerabilities that could pose threats to sensitive PCI data.

1. 1. Control Objective 10: Managing threats and vulnerabilities
   2. Control Objective 11: Maintaining secure software updates
   3. Control Objective 12: Providing guidance for implementation

 

Secure SLC Standard

The Secure SLC Standard v1.1, released in February 2021, consists of 10 Control Objectives divided among four primary functions. Here is the breakdown:

• Software security governance: Guaranteeing effective leadership of software security responsibilities, adherence to regulatory requirements, establishment of clear security rules, and maintenance of robust security measures throughout the software lifecycle.

1. 1. 1. Control Objective 1: Defining responsibilities and resources
      2. Control Objective 2: Implementing policies and strategies

• Secure software engineering: Achieve  enhanced security through systematic identification, assessment, mitigation of threats, and timely detection and remediation of software vulnerabilities.

1. 1. 1. Control Objective 3: Identifying and mitigating threats
      2. Control Objective 4: Detecting and mitigating vulnerabilities

• Secure software and data management: Ensuring comprehensive management of changes, protection of software throughout its lifecycle (including third-party components), and secure handling of sensitive production data according to business and technical requirements.

1. 1. 1. Control Objective 5: Managing changes
      2. Control Objective 6: Protecting integrity
      3. Control Objective 7: Protecting sensitive data

• Security communications: Enhance software security through comprehensive guidance, effective stakeholder communication on security issues and updates, and detailed explanations of software changes.

1. 1. Control Objective 8: Providing guidance for vendors
   2. Control Objective 9: Communicating with stakeholders
   3. Control Objective 10: Providing information about updates

 

Importance of Upholding the Requirements

The PCI Secure Software Framework (SSF) is crucial for ensuring the security and integrity of payment software and systems. By replacing outdated standards like PA-DSS, PCI SSF extends its scope to cover all aspects of developing and integrating payment software. Therefore, enhancing security resilience and minimizing vulnerabilities. Compliance with PCI SSF standards helps organizations protect sensitive cardholder data, maintain regulatory compliance, and build trust among consumers and stakeholders. Moreover, implementing these standards ensures that payment software meets rigorous security requirements from development through deployment, safeguarding against potential cyber threats.

Collaborating with a PCI SSF Advisor offers the most effective approach to defining and reducing the scope of your PCI SSF compliance, pinpointing any deficiencies, and ensuring readiness for the assessment. In addition, engaging closely with a PCI SSF Advisor guarantees your organization’s compliance with all PCI SSF requirements while minimizing redundancy with other relevant regulatory frameworks. This support leads to enhanced security confidence, quicker certification, and often minimized overall security costs. Thus, enabling you to prioritize user safety and focus on core business goals..

 

Conclusion

Adhering to the PCI SSF Requirements is crucial for safeguarding cardholder data (CHD) and other sensitive information during its storage, processing, or transmission through software assets. Furthermore, compliance with PCI SSF provides a strong foundation of security. Consequently, helping to reduce the likelihood of cybercriminals successfully targeting your software assets.

Your organization can achieve PCI SSF Requirements with the assistance of a PCI compliance advisor. RSI is recognized as an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) and Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) by the PCI SSC. With extensive experience assisting organizations, our specialists will support you in achieving PCI. Contact RSI Security today!