PCI DSS: Security Awareness Training For Your Organization

Did you know that about 166 million people faced data compromises in the first half (H1) of 2025? The total number of compromises in the first half of the year sits at 1,732. That is already 55% of the total amount of compromises in 2024. So, what does all of this mean? In short, at this rate, we are likely to see an increase in data breaches this year.

For businesses, this means that equipping your employees with regular compliance training is vital. Any piece of sensitive data could  pose a risk if leaked, such as:

• Passwords.
• Medical Information.
• Financial Data.
• Social Security Numbers.

While this is not an exhaustive list, it covers some of the more popular targets of cybercriminals. Especially financial data. Payment card information holds a unique position. It can immediately affect the victim. This can trigger a massive domino effect within an organization. The ripple effect can affect customers, merchants, payment processors, and financial institutions within seconds.

That's why the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is so important. It helps ensure the secure and compliant storage of cardholder data. Today, we will go over what PCI DSS compliance looks like and how annual training can protect your organization from cybersecurity threats.

What is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

PCI DSS requirements follow the global security standard. Set by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). They protect cardholder data and help to reduce payment fraud. Any business that stores, processes, or transmits this kind of information must follow this policy.

The standard has 12 core security requirements and 6 core goals. Each goal contains two key requirements that outline how organizations must implement security controls.

Here’s how it’s broken down:

1. Build and Maintain a Secure Network and Systems.
   
   1. Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect card data.
   2. Don't use vendor-supplied defaults for passwords or other security settings.
2. Protect Cardholder Data.
   
   1. Protect stored cardholder data using approved security methods.
   2. Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across public or open networks.
3. Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program.
   
   1. Protect all systems against malware and keep antivirus software up to date.
   2. Develop and maintain secure systems and applications to reduce vulnerabilities.
4. Implement Strong Access iControl Measures.
   
   1. Restrict access to cardholder data to only those with a business need to know.
   2. Identify and authenticate access to system components using unique credentials.
5. Regularly Monitor and Test Networks.
   
   1. Restrict physical access to cardholder data environments (CDEs).
   2. Track and monitor all network and cardholder data access.
6. Maintain an Information Security Policy.
   
   1. Regularly test security systems and processes to ensure controls remain effective.
   2. Maintain an information security policy that applies to all personnel.

PCI standards continue to evolve as new threats emerge. The latest version, PCI DSS v4.0.1, strengthens expectations around authentication, monitoring, and ongoing compliance. This includes a greater emphasis on:

• Proactive governance.
• Continuous validation.
• Regular employee training.

All of this is to ensure cardholder data remains protected year-round.

Understanding PCI Awareness Training and Why It Matters

Now that you have a better understanding of PCI DSS best practices, let's dive into the importance of PCI training. Having your employees take training courses on cybersecurity measures, such as PCI compliance training, helps them:

• Understand how to spot risks.
• Handle credit card payments properly.
• Support organizational compliance efforts.

While your employees are the backbone of your organization, if left untrained, they could easily be your downfall. This is because human error is widely known as the number one cause of data breaches. Clicking a phishing link or mishandling payment data can result in a major security incident. Training programs help to prevent such errors.

To better protect payment data, your PCI awareness training should teach employees:

• What cardholder data is, as well as how to protect it.
• How PCI DSS applies to their specific job responsibilities.
• What a threat looks like and how to report it.
• How to consistently follow security processes.

In the event of a security breach, your organization's PCI training can double as a security asset. However, the ultimate goal is to help your employees understand how to make smarter security decisions and protect sensitive information every day.

Why PCI SSC Compliance Matters in Business

Being compliant with PCI SSC's training overview is a great way to prove your business takes threats and vulnerabilities seriously. When organizations fail to meet these qualifications, they open themselves up to:

• Fines and penalties.
• Damage to business reputation.
• Loss of customer loyalty and trust.
• Expensive forensic audits.
• Loss of the ability to credit cards as a whole.

By maintaining PCI compliance, your organization benefits far beyond simply protecting customer data. Compliance helps build trust and loyalty with your customers and partners. People expect their financial information to be securely handled. Demonstrating cybersecurity compliance shows that you take that responsibility seriously. And that you operate as a true industry leader.

It also fosters seamless, secure internal processes while reducing overall organizational risk. Clear expectations and well-defined procedures improve operational efficiency and reinforce a proactive security approach. A strong compliance posture doesn’t just prevent breaches, it enhances resilience. Businesses that prioritize compliance recover more quickly from disruptions and maintain a stronger, more sustainable security culture.

Security Awareness and PCI Compliance

Security awareness is one of the main cornerstones of PCI compliance. Your business may have measures such as strong encryption and access controls, but without educating employees, you are at risk. 

When creating your training program, you should focus on:

• How to recognize cyber criminals in action, such as what phishing emails look like.
• Go over the secure handling of payment data.
• Touch on the acceptable and unacceptable use of certain payment technology.
• Have a risk assessment plan in place in case of an incident.
• Keep up to date on new and emerging threats.

PCI DSS Requirement 12.6 goes over the need for recurring awareness training. Along with proper documentation. Your organization must also update this training content regularly and tailor it to any risks relevant to your environment. Not only to check off your compliance box, but to mitigate incidents before they even happen. 

Understanding PCI Awareness Training and Why It Matters

Now that you have a better understanding of PCI DSS best practices, let's dive into the importance of PCI training. Having your employees take training courses on cybersecurity measures, such as PCI compliance training, helps them:

• Understand how to spot risks.
• Handle credit card payments properly.
• Support organizational compliance efforts.

While your employees are the backbone of your organization, if left untrained, they could easily be your downfall. This is because human error is widely known as the number one cause of data breaches. Clicking a phishing link or mishandling payment data can result in a major security incident. Training programs help to prevent such errors.​

To better protect payment data, your PCI awareness training should teach employees:

• What cardholder data is, as well as how to protect it.
• How PCI DSS applies to their specific job responsibilities.
• What a threat looks like and how to report it.
• How to consistently follow security processes.

In the event of a security breach, your organization's PCI training can double as a security asset. However, the ultimate goal is to help your employees understand how to make smarter security decisions and protect sensitive information every day.

Why PCI SSC Compliance Matters in Business

Being compliant with PCI SSC's training overview is a great way to prove your business takes threats and vulnerabilities seriously. When organizations fail to meet these qualifications, they open themselves up to:

• Fines and penalties.
• Damage to business reputation.
• Loss of customer loyalty and trust.
• Expensive forensic audits.
• Loss of the ability to use credit cards as a whole.

By maintaining PCI compliance, your organization benefits far beyond simply protecting customer data. Compliance helps build trust and loyalty with your customers and partners. People expect their financial information to be securely handled. Demonstrating cybersecurity compliance shows that you take that responsibility seriously. And that you operate as a true industry leader.​

It also fosters seamless, secure internal processes while reducing overall organizational risk. Clear expectations and well-defined procedures improve operational efficiency and reinforce a proactive security approach. A strong compliance posture doesn’t just prevent breaches, it enhances resilience. Businesses that prioritize compliance recover more quickly from disruptions and maintain a stronger, more sustainable security culture.

Security Awareness and PCI Compliance

Security awareness is one of the main cornerstones of PCI compliance. Your business may have measures such as strong encryption and access controls, but without educating employees, you are at risk. ​

When creating your training program, you should focus on:

• How to recognize cyber criminals in action, such as what phishing emails look like.
• Go over the secure handling of payment data.
• Touch on the acceptable and unacceptable use of certain payment technology.
• Have a risk assessment plan in place in case of an incident.
• Keep up to date on new and emerging threats.

PCI DSS Requirement 12.6 goes over the need for recurring awareness training. Along with proper documentation. Your organization must also update this training content regularly and tailor it to any risks relevant to your environment. Not only to check off your compliance box, but to mitigate incidents before they even happen. 

Strengthening Data Security with PCI Security Awareness Training

PCI DSS training is essential for any business that handles card information. It provides your team with the knowledge they need to understand your overarching compliance efforts. Remember that strong training covers the following roles and responsibilities:

• What counts as cardholder data and how to safely handle it.
• Role-based expectations.
• How to detect and respond to suspicious activity.
• Password and access control best practices.
• Incident reporting protocols.
• Emerging threats and evolving requirements.

Prioritizing these topics strengthens your overall security posture. It also helps to reduce the likelihood of accidentally exposing sensitive client information. As cyberattacks become more frequent and less obvious, providing your employees with guidance to navigate threats confidently is essential.

When your team understands the risks, follows protocols closely, and has the confidence to respond to security incidents, they become your first line of defense. A human firewall of sorts. Protecting sensitive data is a year-round task. Make sure your employees have the tools they need to stay compliant.