Free · ten minutes
PCI DSS readiness check: your score and the priorities to fix first
Answer twenty questions on the requirements of ISO 9001:2026, in four steps. You see your overall score and your score for each area straight away; your priorities and the full report follow.
Standard: ISO 9001:2026
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What the PCI DSS readiness check covers
The check measures your organisation against PCI DSS v4.0.1 in sixteen questions, grouped into four areas: Scope and governance; Protecting account data; Access and systems; and Testing and vigilance. Each answer is scored and weighted; the questions marked “Double weight” are the ones assessors examine first.
What you get
An overall score with one of four readings — Assessment-ready, Nearly there, Gaps to close or Starting out — a score for each of the four areas, the priorities to fix first and the typical next step towards PCI DSS compliance.
How to use it
Answer from evidence rather than intention: if a control exists on paper but is not operating, score it as not operating. Share the result with the people who own each area, and use the PCI DSS hub for the requirements, the route to PCI DSS compliance and what it costs.
Questions people ask
Is the PCI DSS readiness check free?
Yes. It is free, takes about ten minutes and sends your readiness report to your e-mail, with no obligation.
Is this a PCI DSS assessment or a certificate?
No. It is a self-assessment that shows where you stand before the real thing. PCI DSS compliance is validated by a Qualified Security Assessor or, where your merchant or service-provider level allows it, by a self-assessment questionnaire accepted by your acquirer or client. Sterling's expert and experienced consultants prepare organisations for that assessment; Sterling does not validate compliance.
What happens after I receive my PCI DSS score?
Your report shows the areas to fix first and the typical next step towards PCI DSS compliance. If you want help with the result, a Sterling consultant can walk through it with you in a free discovery call.