Payment Data Security

PCI PIN Certification

Assess your PIN processing environment and cryptographic key management controls with a PCI SSC Qualified PIN Assessor (QPA) Company.

  • Map PIN flows, keys, HSMs, devices and facilities in scope
  • Identify gaps across key management, device security and PIN processing
  • Prepare evidence for the PCI PIN ROC and AOC

Who Must Validate PCI PIN Security Compliance?

The PIN Security Standard applies to acquirers and their agents that manage, process or transmit PINs for payment card transactions. Payment brands determine who must validate.

  • Acquiring Institutions
  • Acquirer Processors and Payment Switches
  • ATM and POS Network Operators
  • Key Injection Facilities (KIFs)
  • Third-Party Agents Processing PIN Transactions
  • Entities Managing HSMs and Cryptographic Keys
PCI DSS compliance

PCI PIN Assessment Approach

Business Understanding

Business Understanding

Understand your PIN acceptance channels, processing flows, networks and payment brand obligations.

PIN Flow and Key Inventory

PIN Flow and Key Inventory

Map PIN flows, cryptographic keys, HSMs, devices and facilities within scope.

Readiness and Gap Assessment

Readiness and Gap Assessment

Assess controls against applicable PIN Security requirements and identify gaps.

Key Management and Device Review

Key Management and Device Review

Review key generation, distribution, loading, storage and destruction, plus device and HSM controls.

Remediation Guidance

Remediation Guidance

Prioritize gaps, including key block and algorithm changes, before the formal assessment.

Procedure and Evidence Review

Procedure and Evidence Review

Review key ceremonies, dual control, split knowledge and supporting records.

Final Assessment and Reporting

Final Assessment and Reporting

Complete the assessment, including site reviews where required, and prepare the PIN ROC and AOC.

Ongoing Compliance Support

Ongoing Compliance Support

Support key operations, standard updates including PCI KMO, and future assessment cycles.

Deliverables

Clear, evidence-based outputs aligned to your PIN environment and payment brand obligations.

PIN Scope and Key Inventory Summary

PIN Scope and Key Inventory Summary

PCI PIN ROC and AOC

PCI PIN ROC and AOC

Readiness and Gap Assessment Report

Readiness and Gap Assessment Report

Prioritized Remediation Tracker

Prioritized Remediation Tracker

Key Management Procedure Support

Key Management Procedure Support

Compliance Roadmap

Compliance Roadmap

Supporting Services

Technical and managed services that strengthen PIN environment security.

Vulnerability Assessment

Identify weaknesses in systems supporting PIN processing and key management.

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SOC Monitoring

24/7 monitoring for threats targeting payment switches and PIN infrastructure.

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PCI P2PE Assessment

Assess encryption and key management for P2PE solutions and components.

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PCI DSS Assessment

Align PIN and PCI DSS assessments where environments overlap.

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PCI Bundled Compliance Solutions

Choose a PCI pathway aligned to your PIN and key management footprint, designed to reduce duplicated evidence.

Core PCI PIN Package

Essentials

For acquirers, processors and key injection facilities


  • # PIN flow and key inventory scoping
  • # Gap assessment against PIN Security requirements
  • # Remediation roadmap and evidence checklist
  • # ROC and AOC reporting support

Advanced Key Management Program

Program

For KIFs, processors and multi-site networks


  • # PCI PIN + PCI P2PE, with optional PCI DSS
  • # Key management governance across sites
  • # Readiness planning for PCI KMO
  • # Assessment cycle planning and stakeholder reporting

Find the Right PCI Compliance Bundle

Get a tailored combination of PCI assessment, testing and supporting services based on your environment.

Benefits of a PCI PIN Security Assessment

Protect PINs and Keys

Reduce exposure of PINs and cryptographic keys across their lifecycle.

Strengthen Key Custody

Enforce dual control, split knowledge and documented key ceremonies.

Meet Payment Brand Obligations

Complete the ROC and AOC required by payment brands and acquirers.

Prepare for Cryptographic Change

Plan key block, algorithm and device updates before deadlines arrive.

Support Network and Partner Trust

Show brands, issuers and partners a structured PIN security program.

Enable Continuous Compliance

Keep key management controls operating between assessment cycles.

Why Acquirers and Processors Choose QRC

Qualified assessors. Integrated payment-security expertise. Evidence-led reporting.

Multi-Discipline PCI Assessors
  • PCI DSS QSA Company
  • Qualified PIN Assessor (QPA) Company
  • PCI 3DS Assessor Company
  • P2PE Assessor and P2PE Application Assessor
  • Secure Software and Secure SLC Assessor
Assessor-Led, Evidence-First Approach
  • Evidence-first methodology
  • Reduced assessment friction
  • Defensible, well-documented findings
  • Alignment to PCI SSC program requirements
End-to-End PIN Execution
  • PIN flow and key inventory scoping
  • Key management remediation advisory
  • Formal assessment and reporting
  • Ongoing compliance support
Active PCI Community Participation

Member of the PCI SSC Global Executive Assessor Roundtable (GEAR) for 2024-2026 and 2026-2028, staying aligned with evolving interpretations and practice.

Stakeholder Confidence
  • ROC and AOC aligned documentation
  • Traceable key management evidence
  • Board and payment brand-ready reporting
Multi-Region Delivery

PIN assessments serviced across Asia Pacific, Canada, CEMEA, Europe, LAC and the USA, as shown on QRC's PCI SSC listing.

Case Studies

PCI Case Studies

Explore how teams reduced PCI scope, closed control gaps, and improved audit readiness across different payment ecosystems.

PCI Case Studies

PCI PIN Resource Center

Guides and articles to support secure PIN processing and key management.

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Blog

PCI SSC council announces updates for PTS POI.

PCI SSC announced and published new updates in the PCI PIN Transaction Security Point-of-Interaction

Blog

ATM Switch Application Provider with Cybersecurity

Over the past years, India’s economy is exponentially growing giving rise to unceasing advancement.

Blog

Cyber Attacks at Cosmos Bank in the India

Cosmos Bank Pune main branch server has been hacked.Hackers carried out transactions worth Rs 94.4cr

Blog

POS Device Security and the Cleanliness

POS devices and their usage have become an integral part of every customer facing business. While they provide an ease…

Blog

PCI DSS Guidelines To Combat Against Card Skimming

According to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, businesses carrying out their transaction

Blog

Overview of Various PCI SSC Security Standards

PCI SSC maintains various PCI security standards, supporting programs, and related documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

PCI PIN Security Requirements and Testing Procedures v3.1, published in March 2021, is the current version. PCI SSC published the related PCI Key Management and Operations (KMO) Standard v1.0 in September 2026.

No. PCI SSC has no listings for the PIN Security Standard. Assessment results go to the payment brands or other entities that manage compliance programs.

PCI KMO v1.0 consolidates and updates key management requirements for PIN and P2PE keys, so a single KMO assessment can address both. PCI SSC has said KMO assessor requirements will follow, and QRC will advise on timing once transition details are published.

PIN assessments are performed by Qualified PIN Assessors (QPAs) trained and qualified by PCI SSC. QRC is listed by PCI SSC as a QPA Company.

Timing depends on the number of sites, device estate, key management complexity, control maturity and evidence availability. QRC confirms a defensible timeline after the initial scoping and readiness discussion.

One Key Lifecycle. The Right PCI Services. A Clear Path
to Compliance.

Bring PIN assessment, key management advisory and supporting PCI requirements together in one
coordinated engagement.