Every Enterprise Should Want Their SASE Platform to Be PCI 4.0 Certified – Here’s Why 

Cato announced today that it’s become the first SASE platform vendor to achieve PCI DSS v4.0 compliance. More specifically, compliance with PCI DSS v4.0.1. While particularly significant for retailers handling payment data, PCI DSS v4.0 compliance will also benefit non-retailers strengthening their security posture, reducing risk exposure, and demonstrating compliance with industry best practice. 

What is PCI DSS v4.0, and Why Does it Matter? 

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS or just “PCI” for short) is a globally recognized framework designed to protect payment card data. PCI is a mandatory requirement for retailers handling payment card data, which is to say, just about any retailer. Version 4.0 is the latest evolution of the PCI standard, introducing enhanced technical and operational controls to address the growing complexity of cyber threats. Key updates in v4.0 include: 

• Focus on Continuous Security: Emphasis on real-time monitoring, testing, and threat detection. 

• Support for Emerging Threats: Expanded guidelines to mitigate risks associated with new and evolving attack vectors. 

• Additional Focus on TPSPs (Third Party Service Providers): TPSPs that may impact the security of customers’ cardholders’ data must demonstrate that they meet applicable PCI requirements. 

Achieving PCI DSS v4.0 compliance is not just about meeting minimum requirements. It’s about demonstrating a proactive commitment to security from both the organization and its critical TPSPs.  

Why Is PCI DSS v4.0 Compliance a Game-Changer for SASE? 

Traditional security models often struggle to keep up with the demands of modern IT environments, where applications, users, and data are distributed across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid infrastructures. The cloud-native, converged architecture of the Cato SASE Cloud Platform unifies networking and security into a single platform—a significant advantage for achieving compliance.

As critical TPSPs, SASE providers are responsible for demonstrating their PCI DSS compliance as requested by organizations that manage compliance programs. Cato achieved the most rigorous TPSP certification (PCI DSS Service Provider Level 1), which involves:

• Annual Report on Compliance (ROC) by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA). 

• Quarterly external network scan by an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV). 

• Annual penetration testing conducted by a qualified internal resource or external third-party.

• Quarterly internal scanning as part of the provider’s own internal vulnerability assessments.

• Attestation of Compliance (AOC) Form, which is a formal validation that confirms an organization has met all PCI DSS requirements, simplifying compliance reporting, and vendor risk assessments for CIOs.

PCI Compliance: Retail and Beyond  

With PCI DSS Service Provider Level 1 certification, Cato simplifies compliance efforts for our customers, reducing complexity and easing their PCI audits. Retailers obviously benefit, but so does any enterprise. Ensuring that a service provider regularly conducts scans or penetration testing would be difficult, if not impossible, for many organizations. PCI compliance becomes an easy way to confirm adherence to these best practices.

PCI compliance also helps enterprises future-proof their security strategies. As compliance standards evolve, Cato ensures that businesses stay ahead by maintaining ongoing adherence to these critical requirements.

Achieving PCI DSS v4.0 certification is not just a regulatory milestone—it reflects Cato’s ongoing dedication to securing customer data, simplifying compliance, and enabling organizations to focus on innovation. With Cato as a trusted partner, enterprises gain a robust security foundation that meets the highest industry standards.