PCI DSS QSA (Qualified Security Assessor) Services in the UK
Securious is a PCI DSS Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) company providing PCI DSS assessments and compliance support to organisations across the UK and internationally.
Our experienced assessors help merchants, service providers and SaaS platforms understand the PCI DSS requirements, scope their cardholder data environments, and complete formal PCI DSS assessments.
Whether you are preparing for your first PCI DSS audit or maintaining ongoing compliance, our team provides practical guidance throughout the process.
What is a PCI DSS Qualified Security Assessor?
A PCI DSS Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) is an individual certified by the PCI Security Standards Council to assess organisations against the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
QSA companies are authorised to conduct formal PCI DSS assessments and produce Reports on Compliance (RoCs) for organisations that must validate their compliance through a full audit.
Working with a QSA ensures that PCI DSS requirements are interpreted correctly and that the assessment process is carried out in accordance with the PCI Security Standards Council framework.
Why organisations work with a PCI DSS QSA
Many organisations find PCI DSS difficult to interpret, particularly where complex payment environments are involved.
A PCI DSS QSA helps organisations:
- scope their cardholder data environment correctly
- identify gaps against PCI DSS requirements
- implement appropriate security controls
- complete formal PCI DSS assessments
This support can significantly reduce the time and complexity involved in achieving compliance.
Why organisations choose Securious as their PCI DSS QSA
Qualified PCI DSS assessors
Securious is an authorised PCI DSS QSA company with experienced assessors who have supported organisations across multiple sectors.
Practical approach to PCI compliance
We focus on helping organisations understand and implement PCI DSS requirements in a way that works in practice.
Experience with complex payment environments
Our team works with merchants, service providers and technology companies operating complex payment systems.
Collaborative working style
We work closely with internal teams to ensure the PCI process is clear and manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions About PCI DSS QSAs
Do all organisations need a PCI DSS QSA?
Not all organisations are required to undergo a formal PCI DSS assessment by a QSA.
Some organisations can validate their compliance by completing a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). This typically applies to smaller merchants with simpler payment environments.
However, larger organisations and service providers are usually required to complete a full PCI DSS assessment conducted by a Qualified Security Assessor.
Even where an SAQ is permitted, many organisations still choose to work with a QSA to ensure the process is completed correctly.
What does a PCI DSS QSA do during an assessment?
A PCI DSS QSA evaluates an organisation’s systems, processes and security controls against the requirements of the PCI DSS standard.
This typically includes:
- reviewing the organisation’s cardholder data environment
- assessing security policies and procedures
- evaluating technical controls such as access management and encryption
- reviewing vulnerability scanning and penetration testing results
- confirming that PCI DSS requirements are implemented correctly
Following the assessment, the QSA produces formal documentation confirming whether the organisation meets the PCI DSS requirements.
How do I choose a PCI DSS QSA in the UK?
When selecting a PCI DSS QSA, organisations should consider several factors, including:
- whether the company is an authorised PCI DSS QSA company
- the experience of the assessors
- familiarity with your type of payment environment
- the ability to provide practical guidance throughout the compliance process
Many organisations also look for a QSA that takes a collaborative approach and provides clear explanations of PCI DSS requirements.
Do service providers need a PCI DSS QSA?
Many service providers that process, transmit or store cardholder data on behalf of other organisations are required to validate their PCI DSS compliance through a full QSA assessment.
This often applies to companies such as payment service providers, SaaS platforms handling payments, and managed service providers that interact with payment systems.
Can a QSA help with PCI DSS readiness?
Yes. Many organisations engage a QSA before their formal assessment to help prepare their environment for PCI DSS validation.
This may involve:
- scoping the cardholder data environment
- conducting a PCI DSS gap analysis
- advising on remediation actions
- helping organisations interpret PCI DSS requirements
Early preparation often makes the formal assessment process significantly smoother.
How Securious can help you with PCI DSS compliance?
Securious has been a PCI QSA company since 2016 and has a team of qualified, highly experienced PCI DSS QSA and 3DS assessors who can help you achieve and maintain compliance with the latest PCI DSS.
We are based in Exeter, Devon but undertake PCI QSA work nationally and internationally. We are the only PCI DSS QSA company in the region, so if you are based in Devon, Cornwall or Somerset, you will also benefit from cost efficiencies with on-site assessments.
Our mission is to build cyber security confidence and when it comes to PCI DSS compliance, we will work with you to make the process as efficient as possible, helping you understand what you need to do, and why.
We have three different options for helping our clients with PCI DSS compliance:
1: PCI DSS QSA Gap Analysis & Assessment (one-off fee)
We’ll help you achieve PCI DSS compliance by conducting a gap analysis, telling you what needs to change and assessing you once remediation is complete.
- We start by assessing your situation to determine the scope and what level you need to be reporting at. Then, we conduct a gap analysis, looking at what you already have in place against the requirements. From this, we can determine any additional measures you need to implement to achieve compliance.
- We will then advise and assist with any remediation work needed to meet the standard.
- Finally, we will carry out your assessment and complete the necessary reports and questionnaires as required.
If you would like to know how much an engagement with Securious is likely to cost, you can try our free online PCI DSS quote generator by clicking here.
Read more about our PCI DSS QSA Gap Analysis & Assessment by clicking here.
2: Managed PCI DSS Compliance Service (fixed monthly fee)
We’ll help you maintain PCI DSS compliance on an ongoing basis, ensuring everything is in good shape before the annual assessment for a much simpler process.
- Our PCI DSS Compliance Managed Service works proactively to ensure your organisation maintains continuous compliance with the latest PCI DSS.
- By focusing on ongoing documentation management, continuous monitoring, and regular risk and compliance reviews, we’ll help you stay ahead of security requirements and minimise the stress of annual assessments.
- This approach is tailored to your specific needs and is well-aligned with the latest PCI DSS V4 standard, which prioritises continuous compliance.
Pricing starts from £535 (+ vat) per month.
Read more about our Managed PCI DSS Compliance Service by clicking here.
3: Assisted PCI DSS SAQ Compliance Service (one-off fee)
We’ll help you with your PCI DSS SAQ so you know what the questions mean and how to answer them, so you can easily achieve compliance.
- We’ll give you qualified support with your SAQ
- So you know what the questions mean and how you should answer them
- The result is far less time wasted trying to understand the SAQ and much greater peace of mind
Pricing starts from £975 (+ vat).
Read more about our Assisted PCI DSS SAQ Compliance Service by clicking here.
To learn more, see our PCI services page, call us on 01392 247 110, email info@securious.co.uk or send us a message using the form below.