12.6.3.2 Awareness training covers acceptable use of end-user technologies
Security awareness training must include awareness of acceptable use of end-user technologies consistent with the policies required under Requirement 12.2.1. The guidance explains that including the key acceptable use rules in training helps staff understand their responsibilities and how their behaviour affects system security. Objective under the customized approach: personnel understand their duties for secure operation of end-user technologies and can reach help and guidance when needed. Future-dated: treated as a best practice up to 31 March 2025 and mandatory since then.
Source: PCI DSS v4.0.1, 12.6.3.2. 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.
These are the artefacts auditors commonly ask for on this requirement, our guidance rather than text from the standard. Your assessor decides what is sufficient in your context, and asks for samples across the period when a report covers one.
system holds itEvidence a system already holds
- Completion records covering the acceptable use content · HR system / LMS
periodic reviewEvidence produced at each review
- Quiz or knowledge check results · HR system / LMS
governing documentDocuments that govern the control
- Training module or section on acceptable use · HR system / LMS
- Mapping of training content to the 12.2.1 acceptable use policy · HR system / LMS
First move
Common gaps auditors find
- Acceptable use policy exists but training does not reference it
- Training reflects an outdated version of the acceptable use policy
- Remote access and removable media usage rules not covered
Do this for your whole sheet
Paste the rows you run your controls from and get this mapping for every control at once, with the periodic-review ones flagged and a first move per row. No account for the first run.
Build my evidence sheet12.6.3.1 Awareness training covers phishing and social engineering · 12.7.1 Pre-hire screening of personnel with CDE access