Why PCI DSS Penetration Testing Matters

Mandatory Compliance

PCI DSS Requirement 11.4 mandates penetration testing at least annually and after significant changes to protect cardholder data environments.

Real Threat Simulation

We emulate sophisticated threat actors to identify vulnerabilities before criminals do, using in-house developed tools and advanced techniques.

Certification Ready

Receive comprehensive documentation and attestation reports that satisfy PCI DSS requirements and support your certification process.

Beyond Checkbox Compliance

Our offensive security approach goes beyond automated scanning to uncover complex attack chains and business-critical vulnerabilities.

Our PCI DSS Penetration Testing Services

External Network Penetration Testing

Comprehensive assessment of your external-facing systems and applications handling payment card data. We test internet-facing infrastructure, payment gateways, and e-commerce platforms to identify vulnerabilities exploitable by external attackers.

  • Payment application security testing
  • Web application penetration testing for e-commerce platforms
  • API security assessment for payment processing integrations
  • Network infrastructure vulnerability identification
  • Social engineering and phishing simulations

Internal Network Penetration Testing

Thorough evaluation of internal network security controls protecting cardholder data. We simulate insider threats and assess lateral movement capabilities within your cardholder data environment.

  • Active Directory and authentication system testing
  • Privilege escalation and lateral movement assessment
  • Database security and cardholder data access controls
  • Internal system and application vulnerability exploitation
  • Sensitive data discovery and exposure testing

PCI DSS Segmentation Testing

Specialized testing to validate network segmentation controls isolating your cardholder data environment from other systems. Critical for reducing PCI DSS scope and demonstrating effective security boundaries.

  • Network segmentation validation and bypass attempts
  • Firewall rule effectiveness testing
  • VLAN and subnet isolation verification
  • CDE boundary penetration attempts
  • Custom hardware appliances for connect-back testing

Wireless Network Security Testing

Assessment of wireless networks in proximity to or providing access to cardholder data environments, addressing PCI DSS requirements for wireless security.

  • Wireless access point discovery and vulnerability assessment
  • Encryption and authentication testing
  • Rogue access point detection
  • Guest network isolation verification

Cloud Infrastructure Testing (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Specialized penetration testing for cloud-hosted payment environments, assessing cloud-specific security controls and configurations.

  • Cloud access management and permission testing
  • Container and serverless security assessment
  • Cloud storage and database security evaluation
  • API gateway and microservices testing
  • Multi-cloud and hybrid environment assessment

PCI DSS Requirements We Address

Requirement 11.4.1

External penetration testing at least annually and after significant infrastructure or application upgrades

Requirement 11.4.2

Internal penetration testing at least annually and after significant changes

Requirement 11.4.3

Exploitable vulnerabilities must be corrected, and testing must be repeated to verify corrections

Requirement 11.4.4

Testing must use an industry-accepted penetration testing approach and cover the entire CDE perimeter

Requirement 11.4.5

Network segmentation controls must be tested to validate the separation of CDE from other networks

Requirement 11.4.6

Application-layer penetration testing must identify common vulnerabilities in web applications

Our Testing Methodology

Scoping & Planning

Define CDE boundaries, test objectives, and compliance requirements through detailed consultation

Information Gathering

Reconnaissance and mapping of your infrastructure, applications, and potential attack surfaces

Vulnerability Analysis

Systematic identification and verification of security weaknesses in scope systems

Exploitation

Controlled exploitation of vulnerabilities to demonstrate real-world risk and potential impact

Reporting & Remediation

Comprehensive documentation with PCI DSS-compliant attestation and actionable remediation guidance

Retesting

Verification testing to confirm vulnerabilities have been properly addressed per PCI DSS requirements

Why Organisations Choose Tenendo

Qualified Security Assessor Experience

Our team has extensive experience working with QSA firms and understanding what assessors look for during PCI DSS validation.

Advanced Offensive Capabilities

We deploy sophisticated techniques including custom tooling, hardware implants, and advanced attack chains that automated scanners miss.

Industry Certifications

OSCP, OSEP, CRTO, CRTE certified professionals with proven expertise in penetration testing and red teaming operations.

Proven Track Record

Trusted by retail, fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce organizations for PCI DSS penetration testing across multiple sectors.

Clear Communication

Technical expertise combined with clear documentation and executive-level reporting that both technical teams and compliance officers understand.

Beyond Compliance

While meeting PCI DSS requirements, we provide deeper insights into your security posture and practical recommendations for improvement.

Ready to Achieve PCI DSS Compliance?

Schedule a consultation to discuss your penetration testing requirements and compliance timeline

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