Internal Security Assessor (ISA) is a designation given by the PCI Security Standards Council to eligible internal security audit professionals working for a qualifying organization.“Internal Security Assessor (ISA) Program.” [Online]. Available: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/assessors_and_solutions/become_isa. [Accessed: 22-Feb-2018]. The intent of this qualification is for these individuals to receive PCI DSS training so that their qualifying organization has a better understanding of PCI DSS and how it impacts their company. Becoming an ISA can improve the relationship with Qualified Security Assessors and support the consistent and proper application of PCI DSS measures and controls within the organization. The PCI SSC's public website can be used to verify ISA employees.“Official PCI Security Standards Council Site - Verify PCI Compliance, Download Data Security and Credit Card Security Standards.” [Online]. Available: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/assessors_and_solutions/internal_security_assessors. [Accessed: 22-Feb-2018].
An ISA is also able to perform self-assessments for their organization as long as they are not a Level 1 merchant “Can a PCI Internal Security Assessor validate level 1 merchants?,” SearchSecurity. [Online]. Available: https://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/answer/Can-a-PCI-Internal-Security-Assessor-validate-level-1-merchants. [Accessed: 22-Feb-2018].
ISA training is only available for merchants and processors.“Avoid Paying For PCI Certification You Don’t Need | FierceRetail.” [Online]. Available: https://www.fierceretail.com/operations/avoid-paying-for-pci-certification-you-don-t-need . [Accessed: 23-Feb-2018]. Organizations are required to have an internal audit department and cannot be affiliated with a Qualified Security Assessor or Automated Scanning Vendor (ASV) company in any way.
Certificate Renewal The ISA certification must be renewed annually. The ISA certification is company-specific. If the certified individual leaves the company that sponsored them, the certification is no longer valid J. Vijayan, “PCI council launches certification program for IT staff,” Computerworld, 30-Apr-2010. [Online]. Available: https://www.computerworld.com/article/2517837/security0/pci-council-launches-certification-program-for-it-staff.html. [Accessed: 22-Feb-2018]. References
External links PCI Security Standards Council