* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog) * [Palo Alto Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/corporate/) * [PCI compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/pci-compliance/) * There is no such thing as... # There is no such thing as a PCI Solution [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Fthere-is-no-such-thing-as-a-pci-solution%2F) [](https://twitter.com/share?text=There+is+no+such+thing+as+a+PCI+Solution&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Fthere-is-no-such-thing-as-a-pci-solution%2F) [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Fthere-is-no-such-thing-as-a-pci-solution%2F&title=There+is+no+such+thing+as+a+PCI+Solution&summary=&source=) [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2009/02/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-pci-solution/&ts=markdown) \[\](mailto:?subject=There is no such thing as a PCI Solution) Link copied By [Matt Keil](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/matt/?ts=markdown "Posts by Matt Keil") Feb 13, 2009 2 minutes [PCI compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/pci-compliance/?ts=markdown) [PCI compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/pci-compliance/?ts=markdown) In his [Dark Reading post, John Sawyer](http://darkreading.com/blog/archives/2009/02/pci_dss_is_a_pr.html) points out that PCI is not an end goal, but a process. I could not have said it any better. As part of the Palo Alto Network marketing team, I get countless requests by our sales team to describe our PCI solution story. "We need a PCI datasheet!" Or "I need a PCI presentation!" And no matter how many times we tell them that PCI compliance is a combination of technology and best practices, the demands continue. Until recently that is. The October 2008 update to the [PCI DSS documentation](https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/supporting_documents_home.shtml) states that companies can reduce the cost and complexity of PCI compliance by using network segmentation to isolate the cardholder data in a secure segment. So what you ask? Well sure, many technologies can segment the network and the way we do it is through the use of security zones as a logical container for physical interfaces, IP address ranges, VLANs and so on. And this is where we are very different than any other security technology out there. We are the only firewall that can control which specific applications (not ports) have access to the zone that contains the cardholder data. And we can do this based on the user info in Active Directory. Here too, no other firewall can do this---they all still use IP addresses or rely on a secondary piece to perform the user control. What does this mean to me and my marketing colleagues? It simplifies our lives and it presents us with a huge opportunity. It means that our sales team can talk to a customer in a very specific and intelligent manner about their PCI compliance and how we can help. The customer can use our firewall to isolate the cardholder data using security zones. Policies are then applied to control access based on the application (such as Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server) and the user. Optionally, high speed, inline threat prevention and data filtering can be applied to the zone with the cardholder data as an added layer of security. We are not a PCI compliance solution -- no one is -- but we can help in a more specific and granular manner than any other firewall on the market. Learn more about it [here](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/solutions/pci-compliance.html?ts=markdown). Thanks for reading. *** ** * ** *** ## Related Blogs ### [PCI compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/pci-compliance/?ts=markdown) [#### Guest Post: Doing Multifactor Authentication the PCI Way](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2017/11/guest-post-multifactor-authentication-pci-way/) ### [PCI compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/pci-compliance/?ts=markdown) [#### Guest Post: Network Segmentation and PCI Compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2017/05/guest-post-network-segmentation-pci-compliance/) ### [Endpoint](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/endpoint-2/?ts=markdown), [Healthcare](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/healthcare/?ts=markdown), [PCI compliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/pci-compliance/?ts=markdown) [#### Achieve PCI DSS and HIPAA Compliance with Traps](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2016/10/achieve-pci-dss-hipaa-compliance-traps/) ### Subscribe to the Blog! Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more. ![spinner](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up Please enter a valid email. By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply. {#footer} {#footer} ## Products and Services * [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown) * [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown) * [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown) * [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown) * [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown) * [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown) * [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown) * [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown) * [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown) * [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown) * [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown) * [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown) * [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown) * [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown) * [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown) * [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown) * [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown) * [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown) * [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown) * [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown) * [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown) * [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown) * [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown) * [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown) * [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown) * [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown) * [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown) * [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown) * [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown) * [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown) * [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown) * [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown) * [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown) * [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown) ## Company * [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown) * [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/) * [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown) * [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown) * [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown) * [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown) * [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown) ## Popular Links * [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown) * [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown) * [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown) * [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown) * [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center) * [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown) * [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown) * [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown) * [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown) * [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd) ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg) * [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown) * [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown) * [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) * [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown) Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved * [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks) * [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown) * [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/) * [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks) * [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks) * EN Select your language