Reducing Risk and Complexity in Payment Systems
Arcova helped a city government achieve consistent PCI compliance by centralizing governance, reducing scope, and implementing secure payment practices through a tailored managed service.
Project Information
- Services: PCI Compliance Managed Services
- Areas of Expertise: Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Industry: County Government
- Sector: Public
- Cyber Solution: Cyber Strategy & GRC - PCI Compliance
Challenge
City governments face significant challenges in achieving PCI compliance, largely due to decentralized payment systems, outdated technology, constrained budgets, and a shortage of specialized cybersecurity personnel. With limited resources and competing priorities, cities often struggle to maintain visibility across departments, enforce consistent security controls, and implement modern, secure payment solutions. These obstacles make it difficult to minimize the risks associated with critical financial operations while ensuring compliance with evolving standards.
Solution
For over seven years, Arcova has supported the city’s PCI compliance efforts through a customized managed service. This approach centralizes governance, reduces the scope of compliance, and strengthens payment security across all departments. Arcova began with a comprehensive gap analysis, including a detailed review of payment processes, to identify the necessary controls. From there, Arcova assisted in inventorying and evaluating cardholder data environments, streamlining oversight of third-party vendors, and implementing PCI-compliant controls, policies, and network segmentation strategies to ensure a secure and compliant payment infrastructure.
To ensure long-term success with the city, Arcova's managed service became a foundational part of its compliance strategy. It delivers continuous monitoring, regular gap assessments, and staff training to help departments stay aligned with evolving PCI DSS requirements. The service also offers consistent guidance, detailed reporting, and hands-on remediation support, enabling the city to manage risk more effectively, control compliance-related costs, and maintain public trust while advancing its payment modernization goals.
Impact
The city achieved significant improvements in its PCI compliance posture and overall payment security through a focused, long-term partnership with Arcova. With centralized oversight and targeted remediation, PCI non-compliance findings were notably reduced. The city successfully earned a clean Attestation of Compliance (AOC), demonstrating full adherence to PCI DSS standards. By implementing standardized payment processes, it reduced the control count by 60 percent, simplifying compliance efforts and reducing operational complexity. These outcomes collectively strengthened the city’s payment security posture, supporting sustained risk reduction and improved operational efficiency.
Key Results
Reduced Non-Compliance Findings
Centralized oversight and targeted remediation efforts led to fewer PCI non-compliance issues across departments.
Achieved Clean Attestation Of Compliance (AOC)
Demonstrated full adherence to PCI DSS standards with a clean AOC.
60% Reduction In Control Count
Standardized payment processes significantly reduced the number of required controls.
Improved Payment Security Posture
Strengthened security across all departments, supporting long-term risk reduction.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Streamlined compliance processes and modernized payment infrastructure improved overall efficiency.