PCI DSS
Global standard securing payment cardholder data environments
U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
U.S. SEC regulation for cybersecurity incident and risk disclosures
Quick Verdict
PCI DSS mandates card data security for payment entities via audits; U.S. SEC rules require public firms to disclose material cyber incidents in 4 days and annual governance, ensuring investor transparency.
PCI DSS
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
Key Features
- 12 requirements organized into 6 control objectives
- 300+ granular sub-requirements and testing procedures
- 4 merchant levels based on transaction volume
- Quarterly ASV vulnerability scans mandatory
- CDE scoping and network segmentation for scope reduction
U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure
Key Features
- Four-business-day material incident disclosure via Form 8-K
- Annual risk management and governance in Item 106
- Board oversight and management role descriptions
- Inline XBRL tagging for structured data
- Third-party risk processes inclusion
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
PCI DSS Details
What It Is
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a contractual security framework for protecting cardholder data. Developed by major card brands and managed by PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) since 2006, it mandates technical and operational controls for entities storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data (CHD) and sensitive authentication data (SAD). Its prescriptive, control-based approach focuses on the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE).
Key Components
- 12 requirements grouped into 6 control objectives (secure networks, protect CHD, vulnerability management, access controls, monitoring/testing, policies).
- Over 300 sub-requirements with testing procedures.
- 4 merchant levels and 2 service provider levels based on transaction volume.
- Compliance via Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) or Report on Compliance (ROC), with quarterly ASV scans.
Why Organizations Use It
Merchants and service providers adopt PCI DSS contractually to avoid fines, processing bans, and breach costs (avg. $37/record). It minimizes fraud, builds customer trust, and enables card acceptance. Non-compliance risks GDPR fines (€20M/4% turnover) and reputational damage.
Implementation Overview
Start with CDE scoping and gap analysis. Key steps: data flow mapping, segmentation, control implementation, validation. Applies globally to all card-handling entities; Level 1 requires QSA ROC, others SAQ. Typical for 3-12 months, ongoing maintenance.
U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules Details
What It Is
U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules (Release No. 33-11216) is a federal regulation mandating standardized disclosures for public companies. It requires timely reporting of material cybersecurity incidents and annual details on risk management, strategy, and governance. The approach is materiality-based, aligning with securities law principles without bright-line thresholds.
Key Components
- **Form 8-K Item 1.05Four-business-day disclosure of material incidents' nature, scope, timing, and impacts.
- **Regulation S-K Item 106Annual descriptions of risk processes, board oversight, and management's role.
- Inline XBRL tagging for comparability.
- Applies to all Exchange Act registrants, including FPIs via Forms 6-K and 20-F. No fixed controls; focuses on processes and governance.
Why Organizations Use It
Enhances investor protection via timely, uniform information. Meets legal obligations for public filers, reduces information asymmetry, improves capital efficiency. Builds trust, mitigates enforcement risks like fines from cases (e.g., Yahoo, Ashford).
Implementation Overview
Cross-functional: gap analysis, materiality playbooks, IRP updates, board reporting. Phased compliance (Dec 2023+). Targets U.S. public companies; involves training, TPRM, XBRL. No certification, but SEC enforcement and exams apply.
Key Differences
| Aspect | PCI DSS | U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Protects cardholder data storage, processing, transmission | Public company disclosures of cyber incidents, governance |
| Industry | Payment card handling merchants, service providers globally | U.S. public companies, FPIs; all sectors |
| Nature | Contractual security standard with audits | Mandatory SEC disclosure regulation |
| Testing | Quarterly scans, annual pentests by QSAs/ASVs | Materiality assessments, Inline XBRL tagging |
| Penalties | Fines, loss of card processing privileges | SEC enforcement, civil penalties, litigation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PCI DSS and U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
PCI DSS FAQ
U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
Step-by-Step Implementation Guide to ISO 27701: Building a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) on Your ISO 27001 Foundation
Implement ISO 27701 on your ISO 27001 foundation with this actionable guide. Tackle PII controls, audit evidence, GDPR integration. Templates, checklists for 20
NIST CSF 2.0 Deep Dive: Mastering the Updated Framework Core Functions
Unpack NIST CSF 2.0's enhanced Core Functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover. Get SME playbooks, governance shifts & strategies for cyber
Top 10 Cost-Saving Hacks for CMMC Compliance: Budgeting Blueprints for Small DIB Suppliers
Slash CMMC costs 30-50% with top 10 hacks for small DIB suppliers. Enclave scoping, FedRAMP clouds, automation, POA&M tips & budgeting blueprints for Level 2 co
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
ISO 20000 vs GDPR UK
ISO 20000 vs GDPR UK: Compare ITSM excellence with data protection rules. Align standards for secure services, risk reduction & compliance wins. Dive in now!
PCI DSS vs BRC
Discover PCI DSS vs BRC: Compare payment security standards (PCI DSS) with food safety frameworks (BRC). Key differences, requirements & benefits—choose wisely today!
CSL (Cyber Security Law of China) vs EPA
CSL vs EPA: Compare China's Cybersecurity Law & US EPA standards. Master data localization, compliance risks, strategic frameworks for global ops. Unlock advantages now!