PCI DSS Compliance Guide
This document explains how an ORM framework and a data query framework can support PCI DSS compliance from a technical and architectural perspective.
It is intended for framework designers, platform architects, and security/compliance reviews, not as legal advice.
1. Why PCI DSS Matters at the Framework Level
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) governs how cardholder data (CHD) and sensitive authentication data (SAD) are stored, processed, and accessed.
ORM and query frameworks matter because they:
- Define default data access patterns
- Influence whether sensitive fields are accidentally exposed
- Control logging, querying, and data propagation
- Shape whether PCI scope can be minimized
A PCI-aware framework reduces PCI scope by design.
2. Core PCI DSS Principles Mapped to Framework Responsibilities
| PCI DSS Principle | Framework-Level Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Minimize CHD Scope | Avoid storing/querying card data |
| Strong Access Control | Restrict who can access CHD fields |
| Encryption | Enforce encryption-at-rest / in-transit |
| Logging & Monitoring | Audit all access to CHD |
| Secure Defaults | Prevent accidental exposure |
| Segmentation | Isolate payment data models |
3. Cardholder Data Awareness
3.1 Explicit Field Classification
Frameworks should explicitly classify fields as:
| Data Type | PCI Treatment |
|---|---|
| PAN (Primary Account Number) | Restricted |
| Cardholder Name | Sensitive |
| Expiry Date | Sensitive |
| CVV / CVC | Must never be stored |
| Track Data | Must never be stored |
Framework capability:
- CVV / track data types are disallowed
- PAN fields are strongly restricted
- Masking enforced by default
4. Data Minimization & Scope Reduction
PCI DSS encourages reducing the amount of systems that touch CHD.
Framework-level design:
- Separate payment entities from core domain models
- Do not auto-join payment tables
- Require explicit opt-in to select PAN fields
Conceptual example:
Q.payments().selectMaskedPan().execute(ctx)
No raw PAN exposure by default.
5. Encryption Enforcement
5.1 Encryption at Rest
Framework responsibilities:
- Require encrypted column definitions for PAN
- Support tokenization or vault references
- Prevent querying on raw PAN values
5.2 Encryption in Transit
- All ORM/database communication must assume TLS
- Framework should not support plaintext connections
6. Strong Access Control
PCI DSS requires strict access control.
Framework capabilities:
- Role-based access to sensitive fields
- Purpose-based access (e.g. billing vs support)
- Deny-by-default for payment data
Example (conceptual):
ctx.requireRole("PAYMENT_ADMIN")
7. Logging & Monitoring (PCI DSS Req. 10)
Frameworks must generate audit logs for all access to CHD.
Audit records should include:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| User / Service | Who accessed |
| Time | When |
| Data Type | PAN / payment token |
| Operation | Read / write |
| Result | Success / failure |
Important:
- Logs must never contain PAN or CVV
- Only masked identifiers allowed
8. Secure Defaults
Default framework behavior must be PCI-safe:
| Area | Default |
|---|---|
| Field selection | PAN excluded |
| Logging | Masked only |
| Debug output | No CHD |
| Errors | No sensitive leakage |
9. Data Retention & Deletion
Frameworks should support:
- Defined retention policies for payment data
- Token-based references instead of raw PAN
- Secure deletion / crypto-shredding
PCI-aligned behavior:
- Retain only what is strictly necessary
- Prefer external payment processors
10. Segmentation & PCI Scope Isolation
Frameworks can help isolate PCI scope by:
- Separating payment schemas or services
- Preventing joins between payment and non-payment domains
- Supporting clear boundaries in data access APIs
This reduces the number of systems subject to full PCI audits.
11. What Frameworks Must NOT Do
- Do not allow CVV storage
- Do not log raw PAN values
- Do not default to selecting payment fields
- Do not allow unrestricted joins with payment data
- Do not rely solely on application discipline
12. Auditor-Friendly Outcomes
A PCI-ready ORM / query framework can demonstrate:
- Which components access CHD
- Who accessed payment data and why
- That sensitive fields are masked or tokenized
- That defaults prevent accidental exposure
- That PCI scope is minimized by design
13. Final Summary
A PCI DSS–aligned ORM or data query framework minimizes exposure, enforces strict access control, and makes unsafe handling of card data technically difficult.
Such a framework ensures:
- Reduced PCI scope
- Lower breach risk
- Clear auditability
- Secure-by-default data access
This document describes technical design patterns for PCI DSS–aligned data frameworks and does not replace formal legal or compliance advice.