With PCI DSS 4.0, logging plays an even more critical role in safeguarding cardholder data. In this post, we’ll break down the key PCI DSS logging requirements, explore best practices for log retention and monitoring, and highlight key areas where NXLog Platform can help you stay secure and compliant.
What is PCI DSS?
PCI DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, is a collection of security requirements developed by major credit card companies to safeguard merchants who accept credit card payments by ensuring they provide a secure environment. The standard includes provisions for data protection, network security, and security management, among other things. Organizations that process credit card transactions are required to comply with these standards.
Who needs to be PCI DSS compliant?
Every organization that processes, stores, or transmits credit card information, regardless of its size or number of transactions, must comply with PCI DSS. This includes service providers, merchants, and financial institutions processing credit card payments.
Consequences for PCI DSS non-compliance
The fines themselves are not communicated clearly by PCI SSC (Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council). Still, there are negative consequences, including monthly penalties from card brands (Visa, Mastercard, etc., ranging from $5k-100k), data breach costs in the form of forensic expenses, card replacement costs, processing rate increases, payment systems contract termination, legal fees, damaged reputation, and revenue loss.
Being PCI DSS compliant isn’t enough to guarantee 100% protection against data breaches. Even companies that meet requirements can still face attacks and experience data loss. A compliant company may still be held accountable for penalties for a violation. However, if the company has taken all necessary measures to meet PCI DSS standards, the card brands may reduce or even waive the fine imposed.
What are the PCI DSS logging requirements?
Within the latest standard’s framework (version 4.0), there are six requirement groups with a total of 12 general requirements, which offer detailed guidance aimed at enabling organizations to establish and maintain optimal data security practices, including the collection and handling of logs.
| CATEGORY | REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
Build and Maintain a Secure Network and Systems |
1. Install and Maintain Network Security Controls. 2. Apply Secure Configurations to All System Components. |
Protect Account Data |
3. Protect Stored Account Data. 4. Protect Cardholder Data with Strong Cryptography During Transmission Over Open, Public Networks. |
Protect Account Data |
5. Protect All Systems and Networks from Malicious Software. 6. Develop and Maintain Secure Systems and Software. |
Implement Strong Access Control Measures |
7. Restrict Access to System Components and Cardholder Data by Business Need to Know. 8. Identify Users and Authenticate Access to System Components. 9. Restrict Physical Access to Cardholder Data. |
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks |
10. Log and Monitor All Access to System Components and Cardholder Data. 11. Test Security of Systems and Networks Regularly. |
Maintain an Information Security Policy |
12. Support Information Security with Organizational Policies and Programs. |
Specifically, Requirement 10 explains what logging procedures card payment entities must adhere to for PCI compliance. It consists of seven sections on how sensitive data environments are expected to be logged, monitored, and managed:
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10.1: Processes and mechanisms for logging and monitoring all access to system components and cardholder data are defined and documented.
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10.2: Audit logs are implemented to support the detection of anomalies and suspicious activity, and the forensic analysis of events.
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10.3: Audit logs are protected from destruction and unauthorized modifications.
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10.4: Audit logs are reviewed to identify anomalies or suspicious activity.
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10.5: Audit log history is retained and available for analysis.
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10.6: Time-synchronization mechanisms support consistent time settings across all systems.
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10.7: Failures of critical security control systems are detected, reported, and responded to promptly.
In addition to the self-explanatory points above, some of the other requirements have a substantial impact on the log management aspect as well:
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3.5: Primary account number (PAN) is secured wherever it is stored.
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6.5: Changes to all system components are managed securely.
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11.5.2: A change-detection mechanism, such as file integrity monitoring, is deployed.
PCI logging best practices
PCI DSS 4.0 raises the bar for log management. Compliance isn’t just about storing logs, but also ensuring they’re protected and actionable. Based on industry best practices, here’s what you need to focus on and how NXLog Platform can help.
- Centralize log collection across the environment (10.1, 10.2)
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Centralizing logs from diverse sources to a single location helps you maintain visibility into every component of the cardholder data environment.
NXLog Agent seamlessly integrates with various data sources and SIEM/APM solutions. Using a single tool for all your log collection and forwarding needs greatly simplifies your telemetry data pipeline and ensures that all your payment card infrastructure components adhere to a PCI-compliant log management process.
- Safeguard log integrity and restrict access (10.3, 6.5, 11.5.2)
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PCI DSS requires that logs are tamper-evident and protected against unauthorized access. This means maintaining audit trails, implementing encryption during transit, and ensuring strict controls.
NXLog Agent’s File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) module enables tracking and detection of file system changes and can be configured to trigger a security alert in the event of unexpected changes. Additionally, NXLog Platform provides role-based access control, ensuring only authorized personnel have access to the collected logs.
- Meet PCI log retention and availability requirements (10.5)
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PCI DSS specifies that audit logs must be retained for at least 12 months, with at least the most recent three months of data immediately available for analysis.
NXLog Agent supports routing logs to multiple destinations, making both short-term access and long-term archiving straightforward while enabling you to implement an efficient data retention scheme.
- Monitor for suspicious activity in real time (10.2, 10.4, 10.7)
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Collecting and storing logs isn’t enough. You need real-time log monitoring to detect anomalies before they become incidents. Additionally, PCI DSS requires that you review logs from critical systems at least once a day.
NXLog Agent provides log processing capabilities that can filter and normalize logs before forwarding them to their destination. This helps you reduce log noise and speed up ingestion and security log analysis by your SIEM, APM, and security analysts.
- Prevent sensitive data from leaving PCI infrastructure (3.5)
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PCI DSS emphasizes safeguarding sensitive data such as account details and card numbers. Logs can inadvertently contain this information, which must not leave your PCI environment.
NXLog Agent can mask or truncate sensitive data before forwarding the logs, ensuring compliance when sending data to third-party services such as MSSPs.
- Keep timestamps consistent across systems (10.6)
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PCI DSS requires synchronized time settings across all infrastructure. Without consistent timestamps, forensic investigations and threat analysis are impossible.
NXLog Agent is timezone-aware and can streamline timestamps across your log source, for example, converting all timestamps to UTC.
Conclusion
Effective PCI DSS 4.0 logging isn’t just about compliance but about giving your security team the visibility and tools to detect, investigate, and respond to threats quickly. In this blog post, we explored best practices for log collection, protection, and monitoring to help you maintain a secure environment that is always ready for auditing. For a deeper dive into log management strategies that strengthen security and streamline compliance, check out our blog post on Log management best practices.
