Practical, no-nonsense guidance on PCI, ISO 27001, GDPR, penetration testing, and building an audit-ready security posture.
PCI DSS Level 1 is the highest merchant compliance level, validated by an annual QSA-led Report on Compliance plus quarterly ASV scans and penetration testing at least annually and after significant changes. What it takes to meet Level 1 requirements.
Atika Arif · May 27, 2026
A SOC 2 readiness assessment scopes criteria, assesses security controls, identifies gaps, and produces a remediation plan before the audit. What to expect and why it saves money.
Atika Arif · May 26, 2026
The ISO 27001 certification process step by step: scope, gap analyses, risk assessment, Statement of Applicability, controls, internal audit, the two-stage certification audit, and surveillance.
Atika Arif · May 24, 2026
PCI DSS SAQ types explained: SAQ A, A-EP, B, B-IP, C, C-VT, P2PE, and D. How to complete the right Self-Assessment Questionnaire based on how you take payments, and how to qualify for a simpler one.
Atika Arif · May 23, 2026
HIPAA compliance for startups: when it applies, what HIPAA requirements to meet, and how to build safeguards in from day one without slowing your product.
Atika Arif · May 22, 2026
SOC 2 compliance for SaaS: Trust Services Criteria, cloud security controls auditors look at, and how to achieve SOC 2 with Type 1 then Type 2. A practical guide.
Atika Arif · May 20, 2026
Fractional CISO and vCISO are interchangeable: part-time virtual CISO services for cybersecurity compliance leadership. Compare vs a full-time CISO and decide based on your business.
Atika Arif · May 19, 2026
When a startup needs SOC 2 compliance, why Type 1 usually comes first, what security controls readiness takes, and how to get compliant without derailing the roadmap.
Atika Arif · May 18, 2026
A practical GDPR compliance checklist: data protection, personal data inventory, lawful basis, data subject rights, breach response, and transfers.
Atika Arif · May 16, 2026
An Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) is a PCI SSC-approved organisation that performs the external vulnerability scanning PCI DSS requires, at least quarterly. What a PCI ASV is, why you need one, and how ASV scans work.
Atika Arif · May 15, 2026
ISO 27001 vs SOC 2: one is a global certificate, the other a US attestation report. Who asks for which, how they overlap, what the difference is, and how to choose.
Atika Arif · May 13, 2026
Key differences between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2: Type 1 proves control design at a point in time, Type 2 proves operating effectiveness over a period. Which to pursue and when.
Atika Arif · May 12, 2026
