The cheapest PCI DSS compliance is the card data you never touch. Every system that stores, processes or transmits card numbers adds controls, audits and risk.
Codersarts PCI DSS-compliant app development designs payment systems to minimize scope, then builds the controls and evidence your assessment needs for what remains.
What Is PCI DSS?
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) sets security requirements for any organization that stores, processes or transmits cardholder data. Version 4.0 covers network security, data protection, vulnerability management, access control, monitoring, testing and security policies. Merchants prove compliance through a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) or an assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA).
We build the technical controls and help prepare evidence. Formal validation is done through your SAQ or a QSA.
Who This Is For
Fintech and payment companies handling card data
SaaS and e-commerce products asked about PCI
Marketplaces and platforms processing payments
Companies moving from direct card handling to tokenization
Teams preparing for a PCI assessment
What We Build
Scope reduction
Hosted fields and tokenization so card data stays with your provider. See payment gateway integration.
Segmentation
Separating any card data environment from other systems.
Access control
MFA, least privilege and unique accounts. See login hardening.
Logging and monitoring
Centralized, tamper-resistant logs with alerts.
Vulnerability management
Scanning, patching and secure development. See vulnerability scans.
Script protection
Controls on payment page scripts, a key PCI DSS v4.0 requirement.
Evidence
Documentation and evidence mapped to requirements.
Common SAQ Types
SAQ | Typical setup | Scope |
|---|---|---|
SAQ A | Fully outsourced, hosted payment page or redirect | Smallest |
SAQ A-EP | Your page loads payment fields from the provider | Small, includes your web page |
SAQ D | You store, process or transmit card data | Full PCI DSS requirements |
Moving from SAQ D to SAQ A or A-EP through tokenization often removes most of the compliance burden.
Common PCI Problems We Fix
Problem | Usual cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Card numbers in logs or databases | Direct card handling | |
Unknown scripts on payment pages | No script control | |
Shared admin accounts | Weak access control | |
Unpatched systems | No vulnerability process |
How Much Does PCI DSS Work Cost?
Cost depends mostly on your scope: reducing it is usually cheaper than securing a full card data environment. QSA and scanning fees are separate.
Scope | Typical timeline | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
PCI gap review | 1 to 2 weeks | $2,000 to $6,000 |
Scope reduction with tokenization | 3 to 8 weeks | $8,000 to $30,000 |
Controls for a full card data environment | 2 to 6 months | $30,000 to $120,000+ |
What changes the cost: whether you store card data, number of systems in scope, segmentation, logging, testing and the SAQ or QSA level required.
Ranges are typical for a global team. Your price is fixed after scoping, before any work starts.
Ways to Start Small
Starting point | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|
A first look at vulnerabilities | $199 | |
A ranked bug list for an existing platform | $199 | |
Ongoing fixes with a fixed budget | $290 for 10 hours |
How We Work
Map card data. Where card data enters, flows and is stored.
Reduce scope. Tokenize and remove card data where possible.
Build controls. Access, logging, segmentation and scanning.
Test. Vulnerability scans and penetration testing.
Document. Evidence mapped to requirements.
Support assessment. Help with SAQ or QSA questions.
What You Receive
A card data flow map
Reduced PCI scope
Technical controls built
Testing results
Evidence for your assessment
Example Engagement: From SAQ D to SAQ A-EP
An illustrative example based on the pattern we see most often. Client details are kept confidential.
The situation: A subscription business collected card numbers through its own forms and stored them encrypted, putting its whole platform in PCI scope.
What we did:
Moved to provider-hosted payment fields and tokens
Deleted stored card numbers after migrating to tokens
Added script controls and logging on payment pages
The result: The company's assessment moved to a much smaller questionnaire, and card numbers no longer touched its servers.
Mistakes to Avoid
Storing card numbers you don't need
Logging full request bodies on payment endpoints
Ignoring third-party scripts on payment pages
Treating PCI as a yearly project
Why Codersarts
Payments, security, cloud and AI engineers in one team
Money movement designed for correctness, not just the happy path
Fixed-price tasks for small jobs, so you can start without a large contract
Plain-language documentation for partner and bank reviews
You own all code, data and accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need PCI DSS compliance?
If you accept card payments, yes, though tokenized checkout can make your requirements much smaller.
What changed in PCI DSS v4.0?
Stronger authentication, payment page script controls and more continuous security practices, among other changes.
Can you perform our PCI assessment?
No. A QSA or your SAQ validates compliance; we build controls and prepare evidence.
How do we reduce PCI scope?
Use hosted payment fields or redirects and tokens so card data never touches your systems.
Related Pages
PCI DSS compliance engineering: requirements in depth.
Penetration testing: testing PCI requires.
Fintech solutions: every fintech service in one place.
Keep Card Data Out of Your Systems
Tell us how you accept cards today, and we'll show you how to shrink your PCI scope.