PCI DSS 4.0.1: What You Need to Know
2 min read
A Fresh Look at Payment Security: What PCI DSS v4.0.1 Means for You
Payment security keeps evolving, and the latest update to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is shaping the future of how businesses protect card data. Version 4.0.1, released in June 2024, brings stronger requirements and new best practices for anyone handling card payments.
If your company accepts or processes card data, these updates are essential for preventing fraud and keeping customer trust strong.
What PCI Compliance Is All About
At its core, PCI compliance means keeping card data secure through three main steps:
Safe Handling: Collect and send card data securely.
Secure Storage: Protect stored data using encryption and monitoring tools.
Regular Reviews: Test and review your systems each year to stay compliant.
These updates make it easier to understand what’s new, why it matters, and how to stay protected.
The 12 Core PCI DSS Requirements
PCI DSS is built around 12 key requirements grouped by security goals. They cover everything from technology to company policies:
Use strong network security controls.
Configure systems safely and remove defaults.
Protect stored card data.
Encrypt data when sent over public networks.
Defend systems from malware.
Keep software updated and secure.
Limit access to those who need it.
Use strong authentication for all users.
Control physical access to card data.
Log and monitor all system access.
Test systems and networks often.
Support all of this with clear, written policies.
Know Your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE)
Your CDE includes all systems, people, and processes that handle or protect cardholder data. Keeping your CDE separate from the rest of your network helps reduce risks and costs, and it simplifies compliance.
Compliance Levels
Your compliance level depends on how many transactions your business handles each year:
Level 1: Over 6 million: onsite review by a Qualified Security Assessor.
Level 2: 1 to 6 million: self assessment and quarterly scans.
Level 3: 20,000 to 1 million online: self assessment and scans.
Level 4: Under 20,000 online or up to 1 million total: self assessment and scans.
Service providers follow two similar levels, based on transaction volume, with yearly reviews or self assessments.
What Changed in 2025
Since March 31, 2025, several requirements that were previously optional are now mandatory. Businesses must now:
Encrypt sensitive data before authorization.
Use stronger hashing for card numbers.
Validate security certificates regularly.
Scan for malware based on documented risk analysis.
Use tools that detect and stop phishing attacks.
Protect websites with real time tools like WAF or RASP.
Review user access every six months.
Use passwords with at least 12 characters.
Run authenticated internal scans.
If your business hasn’t fully adapted to these changes, it’s important to act now.
What’s New in PCI DSS v4.0.1
The newest version improves data protection, strengthens defenses against new attack methods, and adds deeper testing requirements:
Data Protection: Stronger encryption and hashing.
Cyber Defense: Automated tools to block phishing and web based attacks.
Access Control: Stricter password rules and more frequent reviews.
Testing: Authenticated scans and proof that your systems are properly segmented.
Two Ways to Stay Compliant
You can meet PCI DSS goals through two main paths:
Defined Approach: Follow the standard as written.
Customized Approach: Create your own controls that meet the same security goals, with clear documentation and proof.
Both paths lead to the same goal: strong, reliable protection for your customers and your business.
Make Compliance Part of Your Daily Routine
PCI compliance isn’t a yearly checkbox anymore it’s a daily practice. The new version encourages continuous monitoring, smarter risk management, and a stronger security culture within your team.
By making security part of your daily work, you not only stay compliant but also build lasting trust with your customers.
Learn More:
Visit the PCI Security Standards Council for full guidance and official resources:
https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org
