AWS PCI Data Exposure Remediation

Learn how to fix PCI data exposure in AWS environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for PCI-DSS compliance and secure payment data.

data exposure

PCI-DSS

aws

Why It Matters

The core goal is to rapidly remediate exposed PCI data across your AWS environment, ensuring cardholder data meets strict PCI-DSS requirements. Fixing PCI data exposure is critical for organizations processing payment information, as unremediated exposures can result in hefty fines, compliance violations, and irreparable brand damage.

Primary Risk: Data exposure of cardholder information

Relevant Regulation: PCI-DSS Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard

A systematic remediation approach ensures compliance with PCI-DSS requirements while maintaining business continuity and preventing future exposures.

Prerequisites

Permissions & Roles

  • AWS admin or security role with policy modification rights
  • S3 bucket policy management permissions
  • IAM role and policy modification access

External Tools

  • AWS CLI or CloudFormation
  • Cyera DSPM platform access
  • Security Hub integration

Prior Setup

  • PCI data discovery completed
  • Exposure findings identified
  • Change management process in place
  • Backup and rollback plans prepared

Introducing Cyera

Cyera is a modern Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) platform that uses advanced AI and machine learning algorithms, including Named Entity Recognition (NER) and pattern matching, to automatically identify and classify PCI data across AWS services. Cyera's AI-powered remediation engine provides actionable guidance to fix exposures while maintaining compliance with PCI-DSS requirements, ensuring your payment data remains secure throughout the remediation process.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Assess and prioritize exposed PCI data

Review all identified PCI data exposures in the Cyera dashboard. Prioritize by risk level, data volume, and business impact. Focus first on publicly accessible S3 buckets and databases with unrestricted access.

aws s3api get-bucket-policy --bucket pci-exposed-bucket

2
Implement immediate access controls

Apply restrictive bucket policies and IAM controls to limit access to PCI data. Remove public read permissions and implement least-privilege access principles with proper authentication requirements.

aws s3api put-bucket-policy --bucket pci-bucket --policy file://restrictive-policy.json

Enable encryption and monitoring
3

Activate server-side encryption for all PCI data stores, implement CloudTrail logging, and configure real-time monitoring alerts. Ensure encryption keys are properly managed through AWS KMS.

aws s3api put-bucket-encryption --bucket pci-bucket --server-side-encryption-configuration file://encryption-config.json

4
Validate remediation and document compliance

Run post-remediation scans to confirm exposures are resolved. Document all changes for PCI audit trails and update security policies to prevent future exposures. Schedule regular compliance checks.

Architecture & Workflow

AWS Security Hub

Central security findings and compliance tracking

Cyera Remediation Engine

AI-powered fix recommendations and automation

AWS Config Rules

Continuous compliance monitoring and alerting

IAM & KMS

Access control and encryption key management

Remediation Flow Summary

Identify Exposures → Apply Controls → Enable Encryption → Validate & Monitor

Best Practices & Tips

Remediation Priorities

  • Address publicly accessible data first
  • Focus on high-volume PCI data stores
  • Implement compensating controls during fixes

Compliance Considerations

  • Document all remediation activities
  • Maintain audit trails for PCI assessments
  • Test controls before full deployment

Common Pitfalls

  • Breaking business applications during remediation
  • Incomplete encryption key rotation
  • Missing network-level access controls

References & Further Reading

Next Steps

🛡️ Prevent: Implement PCI data protection controls 🔍 Detect: Set up continuous PCI data monitoring