Securing the Code: PCI DSS v4.0 Requirement 6.2.2 for Software Developers
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.
PCI DSS v4.0 Requirement 6.2.2 focuses on software security training for development personnel working on bespoke and custom applications.
Overview
The PCI DSS v4.0 Requirement 6.2.2 mandates that software development personnel must receive training at least once every 12 months.
The training should cover the following crucial areas:
- Software Security Relevant to Their Job Function and Development Languages: Developers should be trained on the security aspects relevant to their specific job functions and the programming languages they use. This includes understanding potential vulnerabilities, threats, and secure coding practices.
- Secure Software Design and Secure Coding Techniques: Training should also cover secure software design principles and secure coding techniques. This includes understanding how to design software with security in mind and how to write code that is resistant to common security vulnerabilities.
- Use of Security Testing Tools: If security testing tools are used in the development process, developers should be trained on how to use these tools effectively. This includes understanding how to use the tools to detect vulnerabilities in software.
Importance of the Requirement 6.2.2
The purpose of Requirement 6.2.2 from PCI DSS v4.0 is to ensure that developers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to create secure software. Developers who understand the principles of secure software design, secure coding techniques, and the use of security testing tools can help prevent introducing vulnerabilities during the software development process.
PCI DSS training
To achieve compliance with PCI DSS requirement 6.2.2, developers need the skills and knowledge to identify software vulnerabilities. They must then implement processes and measures to secure the applications that handle card data.
- Including Threat Modeling in the application life cycle ensures that security is built-in to applications from inception. Developers need expertise to recognise and quantify applicable threats during the SDLC design stage. They can then implement effective countermeasures to mitigate potential attacks.
- Applications that process card payments and/or cardholder data must be secure. Developers need to understand how to identify vulnerabilities and to code defensively to meet the secure coding and application security standards required by PCI DSS.
Contact us and talk directly to one of our instructors about the role training plays in PCI DSS compliance. Learn about the training courses to best help developers code securely and comply with the security standards needed for applications that process card payments and/or cardholder data.
