Question 1

Who is required to comply with PCI DSS in Malaysia?

Accepted Answer

Any merchant, payment gateway, fintech, or service provider that stores, processes, or transmits Payment Card Industry (PCI) cardholder data or sensitive authentication data must comply with PCI DSS v4.0.

Question 2

What are the four PCI DSS merchant levels?

Accepted Answer

Merchant levels are determined by annual transaction volume: Level 1 (over 6 million transactions annually), Level 2 (1 to 6 million), Level 3 (20,000 to 1 million e-commerce transactions), and Level 4 (fewer than 20,000 e-commerce or up to 1 million total transactions).

Question 3

How can network segmentation reduce PCI DSS audit scope?

Accepted Answer

Properly configured network segmentation isolates the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) from out-of-scope corporate networks using firewalls and strict access controls, significantly reducing the number of systems subject to annual assessment.

Question 4

What are the requirements for PCI ASV quarterly scans?

Accepted Answer

External-facing IP addresses and domains in scope for PCI DSS must undergo vulnerability scans conducted by a PCI SSC-Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) at least once every 90 days, with all vulnerabilities scored CVSS 4.0 or higher remediated.

Question 5

What is the difference between a SAQ and a Report on Compliance (ROC)?

Accepted Answer

A Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is a self-validation tool designed for eligible Level 2 to 4 merchants and service providers, varying by channel (e.g., SAQ A for outsourced e-commerce vs SAQ D for full cardholder data environments). A Report on Compliance (ROC) is an extensive on-site audit conducted by a QSA for Level 1 entities to validate compliance across all 12 PCI DSS requirements.

Question 6

What key changes were introduced in PCI DSS v4.0?

Accepted Answer

PCI DSS 4.0 replaced version 3.2.1, introducing customized implementation approaches, targeted risk assessments (TRAs), enhanced multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirements across all access into CDE, and mandatory automated log monitoring. While version 4.0 became active on 31 March 2024, 51 future-dated requirements became mandatory on 31 March 2025, including authenticated vulnerability scans and automated script management for e-commerce payment pages.

Question 7

What are the penetration testing requirements under PCI DSS Requirement 11.4?

Accepted Answer

Requirement 11.4 requires annual internal and external penetration testing covering the entire CDE perimeter and segmentation controls. Tests must include network-layer and application-layer assessments, simulating real-world attacker techniques. nCrypt delivers CREST-aligned penetration testing that meets Requirement 11.4 criteria, including validation following significant changes and verification that exploitation vulnerabilities identified during testing are remediated and re-tested.

Question 8

How do PCI DSS compensating controls work when direct compliance isn't possible?

Accepted Answer

If an organization cannot satisfy a PCI DSS requirement explicitly due to documented technical or business constraints, compensating controls may be implemented under Appendix B. The alternative control must meet the original requirement's security intent, provide equivalent risk defense, and be validated through a formal Compensating Controls Worksheet. nCrypt helps clients evaluate constraints and architect defensible compensating control documentation.

Question 9

How does PCI DSS compliance intersect with Malaysia's PDPA 2010?

Accepted Answer

PCI DSS specifically protects payment card data, including Primary Account Numbers (PAN) and sensitive authentication data. In Malaysia, payment card details associated with identifiable individuals also constitute personal data under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA). Aligning PCI DSS technical controls with PDPA Security Principle requirements helps Malaysian businesses protect cardholder data while demonstrating regulatory compliance to the Personal Data Protection Commissioner.

PCI DSS compliance

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Assessment

Technical testing

Remediation

Applicability & Scope

Who Must Comply

Statutory Penalties & Enforcement

nCrypt Audit Deliverables & Technical Scope

Frequently asked questions

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