What Is PCI PIN Compliance And Its 6 Requirements
PCI PIN v3.2 Certification
PCI PIN v3.2 is the latest version of the PCI PIN Security Requirements published by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). It defines mandatory security controls to protect Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) used in ATM and PIN-based card transactions throughout their entire lifecycle
Why it matters
Organizations navigating PIN-based transaction face mounting security and compliance demands, the most pressing being:
Ensuring comprehensive protection of PINs across complex ATM and POS environments.
Maintaining strict compliance with frequently evolving PCI SSC security standards.
Managing the intricate lifecycle and secure exchange of cryptographic keys.
Accurately scoping the compliance environment without causing operational bloat.
Preparing detailed, defensible documentation required for stringent formal audits.
Our Approach
SISA's Five-Step Approach
SISA follows a structured, risk-based, and regulator-aligned approach to PCI PIN v3.1 certification, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and audit readiness at every stage
Identification of in-scope systems, HSMs, cryptographic domains, and PIN processing flows.
Detailed evaluation against PCI PIN requirements to identify control gaps and remediation priorities.
Review of PIN flows, key management procedures, HSM configurations, and operational processes.
Practical guidance to address identified gaps without compromising operational efficiency.
Independent validation and preparation for successful PCI PIN certification.
Service Offerings
Our PCI PIN certification services provide end-to-end support from assessment to certification, guiding organizations through the complete compliance journey.
PCI PIN Scope Discovery & Definition Services
Comprehensive Gap Analysis & Risk Assessment
Cryptographic Key Management & HSM Control Reviews
Tailored Remediation Advisory & Support
Independent PCI PIN v3.2 Formal Certification Assessments
BENEFITS
By partnering with SISA for PCI PIN v3.2 certification, organizations gain:
Regulatory Confidence:
Alignment with PCI SSC standards and payment ecosystem expectations.
Reduced Fraud and Operational Risk:
Stronger controls over PIN handling and cryptographic key management.
Clear Scope Definition:
Avoidance of unnecessary scope expansion and reduced compliance burden.
Audit-Ready Documentation:
Comprehensive and defensible evidence aligned to auditor expectations.
Operational Continuity:
Compliance achieved without disrupting critical payment operations.
WHY SISA
Our Differentiators
Deep domain expertise in PCI DSS, PCI PIN, P2PE, SWIFT CSP, and payment security.
Proven experience across banks, switches, fintechs, and regulators globally.
Strong technical understanding of ATM, HSM, and issuer/acquirer environments.
Structured, risk-based methodology that ensures audit defensibility and efficiency.
Trusted by leading banks to clearly define scope and strengthen cryptographic controls.
Seamless execution delivered by assessors with practical knowledge of national switch operations.
Want to know more?
FAQs
The PCI PIN Security Standard is a framework established to ensure the secure management, processing, and transmission of personal identification number (PIN) data at automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals.
Certification is required for acquiring institutions, PIN acquiring sponsors, and organizations that operate Key Injection Facilities (KIFs). It ensures that encrypted PINs are never compromised during payment transactions.
A PCI PIN assessment evaluates physical security, logical security, and key management practices. It ensures that PINs are encrypted immediately at the point of entry and that cryptographic keys are generated, conveyed, and injected securely.
PCI PIN compliance requires a full onsite assessment every two years by a Qualified PIN Assessor (QPA). Organizations must also maintain continuous compliance and internal monitoring between official assessments.
A Key Injection Facility (KIF) is a highly secure environment where cryptographic keys are loaded into payment terminals. PCI PIN standards mandate stringent physical access controls and dual-control procedures to prevent key compromise during this injection process.
No, standard PCI PIN assessments require an onsite audit of the physical environment, particularly for Key Injection Facilities (KIFs) and data centers, to physically verify hardware controls, secure rooms, and tamper-evident mechanisms.
While PCI DSS protects primary account numbers (PAN) and cardholder data across the entire network environment, PCI PIN focuses exclusively on the cryptographic security and key management processes used to protect PIN data at the transaction origin.
As a certified Qualified PIN Assessor (QPA), SISA provides end-to-end PIN security assessments. We conduct deep evaluations of your cryptographic key management processes and physical security controls to ensure full compliance with PCI SSC mandates.
PCI PIN compliance is primarily required by the financial services and banking industries, specifically ATM operators, acquiring banks, and payment processors. Any organization that manages, processes, or transmits PIN data during point-of-sale or ATM transactions must adhere to this standard.
Hear what our customers say
We would highly recommend SISA to any organization seeking to enhance their data security and achieve certification. Their expertise, personalized approach, and thorough support set them apart from other providers. With their help, we were able to not only meet ISO 27001 requirements but also improve our overall security practices, giving us peace of mind in knowing that our data is protected.
Siddharth Paigwar
Manager - Cybersecurity, Finnable Technologies
Our experience with SISA’s team through the rigorous HITRUST certification process exceeded our expectations. SISA’s team demonstrated deep expertise, a proactive approach and unwavering commitment to our success. Their invaluable guidance ensured we stayed on track. We highly recommend SISA to any organization pursuing HITRUST certification.
Rajkumar Aich
Senior Manager, Alorica
SISA’s continuous support and regular audits, powered by their advanced monitoring and reporting tools, ensured that our ISMS remained up-to-date and effective against emerging threats. SISA’s team demonstrated a deep understanding of our unique needs and challenges. Their approach was not just professional but also highly collaborative.
Yazan Al-Mallah
Information Security Senior Officer, Network International
SISA’s support was especially invaluable as we navigated the complexities and nuances of this major new version of the PCI standards, particularly in our first year applying these requirements to new backend architecture. Their technical guidance, clarity in determining applicable criteria, insights into relevant evidence for our environment, and exceptional project management and follow-up added significant value to our engagement and made the entire process significantly smoother and more efficient.
Ben Roberts
CTO & CISO, Nutrislice Inc
A heartfelt thank you to SISA’s team for their invaluable support and guidance throughout our ISO 27001 certification journey. Their expertise, dedication, and proactive approach made the process seamless and efficient. We truly appreciate your efforts in helping us strengthen our security framework and achieve compliance successfully!
Upendhra Neelam
GRC Specialist, Innoviti Technologies
We highly recommend SISA’s ISO 27001 certification and audit surveillance services to other organizations. The structured approach, deep expertise, and hands-on guidance significantly streamlined our compliance journey. A heartfelt thank you to SISA’s team for their invaluable support and guidance throughout our ISO 27001 certification journey. Their expertise, dedication, and proactive approach made the process seamless and efficient.
Devender Rewadia
AM - IT, Global Assure
SISA’s unwavering commitment to the project was key to success of all our engagements. Their balanced approach has been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals on the agreed timelines. Their dedication ensures that we can always count on them to deliver on time, every time.
Omar Elwy
Head of InfoSec GRC, eFinance
SISA went beyond helping our Bank meet audit requirements; they added tangible value by strengthening our overall information security posture and enabling continuous improvement, which is critical for ongoing compliance and resilience.
Getachew Bualew
Team Leader, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
We are incredibly grateful to SISA for their unwavering support and expert guidance throughout our HITRUST Certification journey. The SISA team demonstrated an exceptionally proactive and professional approach. They exhibited extensive understanding of the HITRUST framework, helping us navigate compliance challenges with complete confidence and clarity. We highly recommend SISA to any organization seeking a reliable and knowledgeable advisor for their HITRUST or broader compliance initiatives.
Prashant Poojari
Senior Director - GRC, Exela Technologies
SISA’s support during our first-ever third-party Data Protection Impact Assessment was instrumental. Their comprehensive documentation templates enabled a swift rollout of internal policies and procedures for privacy. The audit team was highly responsive, providing round-the-clock assistance and addressing all queries from initiation to closure, including timely reminders and meticulous tracking. Keep up the excellent work!
Aditya Mathur
Senior Manager - Information Security, Go Payments
