>>> Whether said checkbox is actually the best solution *for the actual problem* >>> is the issue. I've seen cases where checkbox auditors insisted that a >>> certain critical system "absolutely positively *HAD* to have a firewall". >> >> This is where compensating controls come in with PCI. If there is an >> even better solution you are free to implement it. > > Yes, the PCI "compensating controls" are overall a Good Thing. Unfortunately, > a lot of regulatory regimes don't see things that way yet. And it still > requires a clued PCI auditor who actually understands the real world enough > to deal with compensating controls.
Having just gone through a PCI audit I can safely say a few things: A) Approaching compliance from a risk management approach went out the window B) Items the auditor didn't understand absolutely went back to a checkmark mentality C) Items that were gray areas were treating VERY liberally in their interpretation Bleh _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/
