PCI DSS Compliance: What’s the Difference Between a PCI SAQ, AoC, and RoC?

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a globally recognized compliance framework developed by major credit card companies to reduce fraud and protect consumers’ payment card information. Organizations that process, transmit, or store consumers’ payment card data, or that could impact the security of the cardholder data environment (CDE), must comply with PCI DSS.

By undergoing an independent assessment by a firm like BARR Advisory that has been qualified by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council as a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) company, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to data security and ensure their ongoing compliance with the global standard.

“For organizations that process payment card transactions, or are a service provider for companies that handle cardholder data, PCI DSS is an essential piece of a holistic compliance program,” said Cameron Kline, director of BARR’s attest services practice.

Depending on your organization’s transaction amounts and customer requests, you may be required to complete a report on compliance (RoC) with a qualified firm like BARR, or you may be eligible to perform a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) either on your own or with assistance from a QSA. Both reports accompany an attestation of compliance (AoC), which a QSA firm like BARR can also help with.

What are the differences between these three report options, and how do you know which one is right for your organization? Let’s dive in.

Report on Compliance (RoC)

A PCI report on compliance (RoC) is a detailed document compiled by a qualified auditor following a thorough review of an organization’s CDE. An RoC assesses whether the company adheres to the requirements outlined by the PCI DSS framework, including whether they have established and implemented effective policies for securing cardholder data. If applicable, an RoC may also include notes about areas of noncompliance and recommendations for improvement.

Depending on how many payment card transactions an organization processes on an annual basis, the company may be required to complete an RoC. Smaller organizations may also choose to complete an RoC to set themselves apart from competitors or to satisfy customer requirements.

If you choose to complete an RoC, BARR will draft the report along with an attestation of compliance (AoC). Depending on the complexity of your CDE, achieving an RoC can take anywhere from three to six months to complete.

Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) or QSA-Assisted SAQ

A PCI self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) is another option for demonstrating compliance with PCI DSS for organizations that are not required to complete an RoC. There are different types of SAQs tailored to various industries and business environments, including e-commerce, physical retail stores, and cloud service providers. 

Completing an SAQ involves answering a series of questions about your organization’s security practices and controls to help identify gaps and areas where improvement is needed to achieve compliance. 

Unlike an RoC, an SAQ can be completed by the organization pursuing compliance on its own or with the assistance of a QSA. For organizations that are new to PCI DSS or have a complex CDE, working with a QSA firm like BARR is particularly beneficial, as an experienced, qualified auditor can help ensure a smooth and accurate assessment.

The time it takes to complete an SAQ will vary depending on the size and scope of an organization’s CDE. To expedite the process, it’s helpful to maintain current network diagrams that reflect how data is transmitted, processed, and stored.

Attestation of Compliance (AoC)

A PCI attestation of compliance (AoC) is a document used by organizations to attest to their compliance with PCI DSS. Completed alongside an RoC or SAQ, an AoC includes details about the scope and results of the compliance assessment and is typically shared with payment processors.

Whether you choose to complete an SAQ or RoC to assess your compliance, working with a PCI QSA firm like BARR to complete your AoC helps ensure all aspects of your CDE are thoroughly reviewed and documented.

With any combination of these three reports in hand, you can demonstrate to customers, partners, and stakeholders that your organization adheres to the standards outlined by the PCI Security Standards Council for safeguarding cardholder data and has built the foundations of a strong cybersecurity program.

Then, it’s time to celebrate, debrief on any opportunities for improvement, and plan for the year ahead. Organizations should undergo PCI DSS audits at least annually and consider customers’ and vendors’ requests to determine the appropriate cadence for achieving PCI DSS compliance.

Need help navigating PCI DSS? Contact us today to find out how BARR can help you chart a course to compliance.