11.4.6 Service provider segmentation testing every six months

Where a service provider relies on segmentation to separate the CDE from other networks, it must run penetration tests on those segmentation controls: twice a year at a minimum, plus whenever segmentation controls or methods change; covering every segmentation control or method in use; in line with the penetration testing methodology the entity has defined; confirming the controls or methods are operational and effective and keep every out-of-scope system separated from the CDE; confirming the effectiveness of any isolation separating systems of different security levels (Requirement 2.2.3 refers); carried out by a tester who is qualified, whether an internal resource or an external third party; and with organizational independence of the tester (a QSA or ASV is not required). Applicability: applies only when the assessed entity is a service provider. Objective under the customized approach: where segmentation is used, technical testing, including after any changes, confirms it keeps working to wall off out-of-scope systems from the CDE.

Source: PCI DSS v4.0.1, 11.4.6. The statement above is our statement of the clause, read from the published text and cited so you can check it against the official text, not the instrument verbatim. Open PCI DSS v4.0.1 in the compliance library.

Version 4.0.1 is the active version; 4.0 has been retired. Appendix A1 applies only to multi-tenant service providers, A2 only to card-present POS POI terminals that still use SSL or early TLS, and A3 only when a payment brand or acquirer requires it. Which requirements apply to you follows your validation type.