Learning Resource Centre successfully conducted an in depth PCI DSS workshop on Application Security and Governance for Banks and Payment Service Providers, bringing together professionals from the banking and financial services sector to discuss evolving compliance requirements and practical security implementation strategies. The session witnessed strong participation from industry stakeholders committed to strengthening payment security frameworks and aligning their practices with international compliance standards.
The workshop focused extensively on PCI DSS v4.0.1 requirements, secure Software Development Life Cycle practices, application security controls, and governance mechanisms essential for regulated environments. Participants engaged in detailed discussions around regulatory expectations, risk accountability, audit preparedness, and the operational challenges faced by banks and PSPs in implementing PCI DSS controls effectively. The event provided a structured platform for financial institutions to better understand how to integrate security within development processes while maintaining compliance with payment industry standards.
The session was led by Raheel Iqbal, Director Cyber Security, along with Rehan Ali, Manager Offensive Security, and Muhammad Hassam Arif, Penetration Tester, who shared practical insights drawn from real world implementation experience. The speakers emphasized the importance of embedding governance frameworks into application development workflows and highlighted the need for proactive security assessments, continuous monitoring, and clear accountability structures. Through case based discussions and interactive dialogue, participants were guided on aligning internal controls with PCI DSS v4.0.1 mandates and enhancing their ability to respond to regulatory audits with confidence.
Interactive engagement remained a key feature of the workshop, allowing attendees to exchange experiences and clarify complex compliance scenarios relevant to banking operations. The discussions also underscored the growing importance of secure coding practices, threat modeling, vulnerability management, and structured documentation in ensuring payment application resilience. As digital payment adoption continues to expand across Pakistan’s financial ecosystem, institutions are under increasing pressure to demonstrate strong governance, effective risk mitigation, and adherence to recognized security standards.
The Learning Resource Centre, with its established focus on professional training and industry capacity building, continues to facilitate knowledge sharing initiatives aimed at strengthening compliance culture within the financial sector. By hosting specialized sessions on PCI DSS and related security frameworks, the organization is contributing to enhanced awareness and technical readiness among banking professionals. The recent workshop reflects sustained efforts to support financial institutions in building secure, compliant, and well governed payment environments capable of addressing modern cyber security challenges while maintaining regulatory alignment.
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