SOC and PCI DSS 4.0: How to Meet Regulatory Requirements in 2026

A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a fundamental pillar for achieving and maintaining compliance with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), especially with the update to version 4.0, which takes effect in 2026. Its key contributions lie in continuous monitoring, proactive threat detection, and the management of incidents related to payment card data.

Table of Contents

• What Is PCI DSS and Why Is It So Important?
• PCI DSS Compliance with SOC as a Service
• In-House SOC vs. SOC as a Service for PCI DSS

What Is PCI DSS and Why Is It So Important?

PCI DSS is a set of 12 security requirements created by major card brands (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB) to protect sensitive cardholder data.

This standard is especially critical in the financial sector, where banks, fintech companies, payment processors, acquirers, and entities handling large volumes of transactions must ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

In this sector, a security breach is not just a technical failure—it poses a direct risk to financial stability, customer trust, and regulatory compliance.

Non-compliance with PCI DSS can result in:

1. Significant financial penalties imposed by card brands or regulatory bodies

2. Loss of payment processing capabilities, impacting business continuity

3. Severe reputational damage, particularly critical for financial institutions

4. Legal risks and regulatory sanctions

Complying with PCI DSS is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of monitoring, detection, and response—essential in highly regulated financial environments exposed to constant threats. This is where a SOC (Security Operations Center) makes a difference, providing 24/7 visibility and a security posture aligned with the demands of the financial sector.

PCI DSS Compliance with SOC as a Service

A SOC centralizes 24/7 monitoring, detection, and response to security events. Its role directly aligns with multiple PCI DSS requirements.

1. Continuous Monitoring of Security Events (Requirement 10)

PCI DSS requires:

“Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data.”

A SOC:

1. Centralizes logs from firewalls, servers, endpoints, and applications

2. Detects unauthorized access in real time

3. Identifies anomalous behavior before it escalates into an incident

This supports compliance with auditing, traceability, and log retention requirements.

2. Incident Detection and Response (Requirement 12)

PCI DSS requires formal incident response plans. A SOC:

1. Detects threats such as malware, ransomware, or intrusion attempts

2. Activates immediate containment protocols

3. Documents the incident for PCI audits

This minimizes incident impact and demonstrates a proactive security posture—key in PCI assessments.

3. Vulnerability and Threat Management (Requirements 5 and 6)

A modern SOC, powered by SIEM, XDR, and Threat Intelligence, helps:

1. Detect exploitable vulnerabilities

2. Correlate events with known threats

3. Prioritize risks based on impact to cardholder data

This complements ASV scans and security testing required by PCI DSS.

4. Access Control and Misuse Alerts (Requirements 7 and 8)

The SOC monitors:

1. Failed authentication attempts

2. Privilege escalations

3. Access outside business hours or from suspicious locations

These alerts ensure only authorized personnel access environments handling payment data.

5. Evidence and Support for PCI Audits

One of the biggest challenges in PCI DSS is proving compliance. A SOC provides:

1. Security event reports

2. Incident history and corrective actions

3. Evidence of continuous monitoring

This reduces time, cost, and friction during internal or external audits.

Read more: Hiring SOC as a Service: How to Do It and What to Consider

In-House SOC vs. SOC as a Service for PCI DSS

For many organizations, running a 24/7 in-house SOC is costly and complex. That’s why SOC as a Service has become an ideal option for achieving PCI DSS compliance.

Key Advantages:

1. Ongoing compliance without large investments

2. Access to cybersecurity experts

3. Advanced technologies (SIEM, XDR, SOAR)

4. Scalability according to PCI level (Level 1 to 4)

Business Benefits Beyond Compliance

Beyond meeting PCI DSS requirements, a SOC provides:

1. Reduced fraud risk

2. Increased customer trust

3. Improved cybersecurity posture

4. Competitive advantage in bids and contracts

Conclusion

Complying with PCI DSS goes far beyond having active firewalls or well-documented policies. In practice, it means having continuous visibility, constant monitoring, and the ability to respond quickly to any situation that could compromise payment card data.

That’s where a SOC truly proves its value. It not only supports regulatory compliance but also turns security into a living process that supports your business every day.

At TecnetOne, we partner with companies to help them meet standards like PCI DSS through our SOCaaS (SOC as a Service), offering 24/7 monitoring, early threat detection, and ongoing support aligned with both business demands and financial sector requirements.