Frequently Asked Question

PCI DSS Requirement 11.3.2.1 addresses the need for quarterly external vulnerability scans to be performed by a PCI SSC Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV). The ASV will produce a scan report that details the results of the vulnerability scan — this scan report is not an indication that any other PCI DSS requirements have been reviewed or are in place. 

ASVs are required to provide scan reports on official templates as defined in the ASV Program Guide. Any additional documentation provided by the ASV (for example, certificates, letters or other documentation) should be clearly identified as supplemental materials provided by the ASV Company - these supplemental materials have not been endorsed by the PCI SSC, nor should they be considered replacements for the official PCI SSC templates and forms.

Quarterly ASV scan reports, in addition to providing evidence of meeting a PCI DSS requirement, may also be requested by acquirers and/or payment brands. Entities should consult with the organization(s) that manage the entity’s compliance program (such as payment brands and acquirers), also called compliance-accepting entities, to understand any specific reporting requirements.