PCI Penetration Testing
We give QSAs the proof they need: where your CDE breaks under realistic attack conditions.
PCI Penetration Testing That Proves Your CDE Can Withstand a Real Attack
Raxis delivers human-led, PCI DSS v4.0.1-aligned penetration testing for cardholder data environments, payment applications, APIs, e-commerce platforms, and segmentation controls.
What PCI DSS v4.0.1 Requires for Penetration Testing
PCI DSS v4.0.1 Requirement 11.4 requires a defined penetration testing methodology and regular internal and external penetration testing, with exploitable vulnerabilities and security weaknesses corrected and retested. Where segmentation is used to reduce PCI scope, segmentation controls must be tested to verify that out-of-scope systems are isolated from the cardholder data environment.
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PCI area |
Description |
How Raxis supports it |
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11.4.1 |
Maintain a penetration testing methodology |
Documented rules of engagement, scope, approach, tools, exclusions, and evidence. |
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11.4.2 |
Internal penetration testing |
Manual exploitation across in-scope internal CDE networks and systems. |
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11.4.3 |
External penetration testing |
Internet-facing testing against CDE-connected assets, exposed services, and attack paths. |
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11.4.4 |
Remediation and retesting |
Findings include fix guidance, and retesting verifies corrective actions. |
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11.4.5 |
Segmentation testing where segmentation is used to reduce scope |
Attempts to bypass segmentation and validate CDE isolation from out-of-scope networks. |
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11.4.6 |
Service provider segmentation testing every six months |
Six-month segmentation testing for service providers, validating CDE isolation. |
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11.4.7 |
Multi-tenant service provider support for customer external testing |
Support for customer external penetration testing under 11.4.3 and 11.4.4. |
The Problem with Most PCI Pentests
Too many PCI pentests stop at automated output and never answer the real question: could an attacker reach cardholder data? Raxis tests the paths attackers actually use, including application flaws, API weaknesses, identity issues, misconfigurations, segmentation gaps, and lateral movement.
Scanner Output Disguised as a Pentest
Automated scans are useful, but they are not a substitute for manual exploitation, business logic testing, and attack-path validation.
Segmentation That Only Works on Paper
If segmentation reduces scope, it must hold up under testing. Raxis attempts real paths from out-of-scope networks toward the CDE.
Payment Flows Nobody Tested
Gateways, tokenization services, e-commerce carts, JavaScript, APIs, redirects, and third-party integrations can influence PCI risk.
Remediation Without Proof
A ticket marked “fixed” does not prove risk is gone. Raxis retests corrective actions and documents what changed.
PCI Testing Backed by Raxis Trust
Raxis PCI penetration testing is performed by U.S.-based offensive security professionals and delivered through secure Raxis One workflows. For details on our SOC 2 Type II status, data handling, insurance, internal controls, and team credentials, visit the Raxis Trust Center.
