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 PIN Assessment Approach
Deliverables
Clear, evidence-based outputs aligned to your PIN environment and payment brand obligations.
PIN Scope and Key Inventory Summary
PCI PIN ROC and AOC
Readiness and Gap Assessment Report
Prioritized Remediation Tracker
Key Management Procedure Support
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 Bundled Compliance Solutions
Choose a PCI pathway aligned to your PIN and key management footprint, designed to reduce duplicated evidence.
Core PCI PIN Package
EssentialsFor acquirers, processors and key injection facilities
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PIN flow and key inventory scoping
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Gap assessment against PIN Security requirements
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Remediation roadmap and evidence checklist
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ROC and AOC reporting support
Integrated PCI Suite
BundledPCI PIN + PCI DSS + PCI 3DS (integrated assessment approach)
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Unified scope across PIN, card data and authentication
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Control overlap mapping to reduce assessment friction
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Coordinated evidence strategy
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Assessor-led readiness and reporting
Advanced Key Management Program
ProgramFor KIFs, processors and multi-site networks
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PCI PIN + PCI P2PE, with optional PCI DSS
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Key management governance across sites
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Readiness planning for PCI KMO
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Assessment cycle planning and stakeholder reporting
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.
- 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
- Evidence-first methodology
- Reduced assessment friction
- Defensible, well-documented findings
- Alignment to PCI SSC program requirements
- PIN flow and key inventory scoping
- Key management remediation advisory
- Formal assessment and reporting
- Ongoing compliance support
Member of the PCI SSC Global Executive Assessor Roundtable (GEAR) for 2024-2026 and 2026-2028, staying aligned with evolving interpretations and practice.
- ROC and AOC aligned documentation
- Traceable key management evidence
- Board and payment brand-ready reporting
PIN assessments serviced across Asia Pacific, Canada, CEMEA, Europe, LAC and the USA, as shown on QRC's PCI SSC listing.
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.