Qualified Security Assessor (“QSA”)

A Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) is a company that has been officially approved by the PCI Security Standards Council to conduct assessments of organizations' compliance with the PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) requirements. QSAs play a crucial role in the PCI compliance ecosystem, providing expert evaluations of security practices and procedures related to the handling of credit card information to ensure they meet industry standards.

The primary responsibility of a QSA is to validate an entity's adherence to all the PCI DSS requirements, which include securing cardholder data, maintaining a vulnerability management program, implementing strong access control measures, regularly monitoring and testing networks, and maintaining an information security policy.

For example, Coalfire Services has been designated as the QSA for the entire University of California system. In this role, Coalfire Services is responsible for assessing the university system's compliance with PCI DSS, identifying any areas of non-compliance, and providing guidance on how to address any identified issues to ensure that the handling, processing, and storage of credit card information are secure.

Being a QSA requires not only a thorough understanding of network security and risk management but also an in-depth knowledge of the specific PCI DSS standards. QSAs must also undergo regular re-certification and training to stay up-to-date with the latest in security standards and technological advances. Their expertise and oversight are vital in helping organizations maintain the integrity and security of their payment card operations.