Defined Approach Requirements
1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are:
• Defined.
• Implemented.
• Maintained.
Customized Approach Objective
The way that NSCs are configured and operate are defined and consistently applied.
Applicability Notes
[No detail is provided here in the PCI DSS 4.0]
Defined Approach Testing Procedures
1.2.1.a Examine the configuration standards for NSC rulesets to verify the standards are in accordance with all elements specified in this requirement.
1.2.1.b Examine configuration settings for NSC rulesets to verify that rulesets are implemented according to the configuration standards.
Purpose of requirement and procedures
The implementation of these configuration standards results in the NSC being configured and managed to properly perform their security function (often referred to as the ruleset).
Good practice
These standards often define the requirements for acceptable protocols, ports that are permitted to
be used, and specific configuration requirements
that are acceptable. Configuration standards may also outline what the entity considers not acceptable or not permitted within its network.
Definitions
Definitions
NSCs are key components of a network architecture. Most commonly, NSCs are used at the boundaries of the CDE to control network traffic flowing inbound and outbound from the CDE.
Configuration standards outline an entity’s minimum requirements for the configuration of its NSCs
Examples
Examples of NSCs covered by these configuration standards include, but are not limited to, firewalls, routers configured with access control lists, and cloud virtual networks.
Note: This sub-requirement requirement falls within the primary PCI DSS Requirement 1: Install and Maintain Network Security Controls and secondary requirement 1.2 Network security controls (NSCs) are configured and maintained..
What is the PCI DSS
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards formed in 2004 by Visa, MasterCard, Discover Financial Services, JCB International and American Express. Governed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), the compliance scheme aims to secure credit and debit card transactions against data theft and fraud.
While the PCI SSC has no legal authority to compel compliance, it is a requirement for any business that processes credit or debit card transactions. PCI certification is also considered the best way to safeguard sensitive data and information, thereby helping businesses build long lasting and trusting relationships with their customers.
Source: https://www.imperva.com/learn/data-security/pci-dss-certification/
What is the PCI SSC
The PCI SSC mission is to enhance global payment account data security by developing standards and supporting services that drive education, awareness, and effective implementation by stakeholders. We achieve this with a strategic framework to guide our decision-making process and ensure that every initiative is aligned with our mission and supports the needs of the global payments industry.
The four pillars of our strategic framework include:
- Increase industry participation and knowledge in the PCI Standards development process and stakeholder support for standards implementation. This ensures that standards and resources reflect and address industry needs and challenges.
- Evolve security standards and validation programs to support a range of environments, technologies and methodologies for achieving security. This ensures standards and resources that support and enable safe commerce and the flexibility to use different approaches to meet those standards.
- Secure emerging payment channels via development of PCI Standards and resources to support broader payment acceptance. This enables safe commerce in new and emerging card and card-based payment channels such as mobile and internet-of-things.
- Increase standards alignment and consistency of PCI Standards to minimize redundancy and support effective implementation.
PCI DSS certification
PCI certification ensures the security of card data at your business through a set of requirements established by the PCI SSC. These include a number of commonly known best practices, such as:
- Installation of firewalls
- Encryption of data transmissions
- Use of anti-virus software
Source: https://www.imperva.com/learn/data-security/pci-dss-certification/
You can learn more about the PCI DSS at https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/