12.6.3 Security awareness training on hire and annually with acknowledgment

Personnel must be trained in security awareness when hired, then again at least every 12 months; also, the program must use more than one way of communicating; and personnel must confirm (at least every 12 months) having read the security policy and procedures and grasped them. The guidance lists example methods (posters, letters, online or classroom sessions, team meetings, incentives) and notes acknowledgments can be written or electronic. Customized approach objective: personnel stay current on the threat landscape and their control responsibilities and can reach help and guidance when needed.

Source: PCI DSS v4.0.1, 12.6.3. 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.