re: PCI Compliance Scope

[Timothy Shea <tim () tshea net>]

I don't think you are getting it.  You will not be able to convince
the PCI auditor that your log server is out of scope as having a log
server is REQUIRED by PCI.  Track 10 of PCI covers this.  And your log
server has to be managed in an a appropriate way such as limited
access and method to ensure that log files aren't tampered with.  And
you have to prove it.

Furthermore just because a system is logging data to your log server
doesn't mean that it is automatically in scope of PCI.  Your log
server may contain log files from systems with CC data, PHI data, or
your warez server.  That doesn't mean your warez server needs to
fulfill PCI or HIPPA requirements.

I would suggest going to the PCI site and reading the standard before
trying to challenge the auditor.

t.s

On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 4:18 PM, Danux <danuxx () gmail com> wrote:
> Thanks all for your feedback,
>
> I will clarify the most common questions you asked:
>
> a) The Log Management server is a receiver so it is not able to reach
> PCI Assets.
> b) The Log Management server does not store PII/CC data.
>
> It seems like 80% of the audience thinks that if I am not storing
> PII/CC data in the Log Server and not direct access (push) to PCI
> assets then it should be out of scope.
>
> I asked the PCI Auditor that in my  opinion the PCI goal was to
> protect CC data and since my Log Server is not able to reach PCI
> assets then it was out of scope.
> The PCI Auditor said exactly what David Glosser mentioned above, The
> goal in this point is to protect the Log Server from tampering.
>
> I totally disagree with that because I think PCI goal is to protect CC
> data and if no PII/CC is store in log server then it does not matter
> if someone is tampering it.
> Someone can tell me whether by getting usernames from log files you
> are gonna be able to bypass firewall to connect to PCI assets and or
> get passwords automatically and or steal/decrypt CC data? All this
> requires extra effort, usernames are not even considered PII since is
> something PUBLIC.
>
> Now, if the goal is to protect Log files then as i mentioned at the
> beginning of this conversation, all assets pushing info to Log server
> are in scope too!! because each one can reach it and therefore try to
> compromise it.
>
> CONCLUSION:
>
> Lets think as Auditors, if I want to convince PCI Auditor about
> putting my Log Server out of scope, I need trust resources. Do you
> have any documentation from trusted sources like NIST, Garner, so on
> where explains how to deal with this Scenario?
>
> Thanks all once again.
>
> I promise to let you all know the result of this point to know the
> real way in a PCI perspective to deal with.
>
> On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 3:34 PM, Eric Milam <emilam () coretechsg com> wrote:
> > Its not my decision, last I checked I don't think the PCI Council allowed it
> > as the only form of separation.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Tracy Reed wrote:
> > > On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 12:42:35PM -0800, Eric Milam spake thusly:
> > >
> > > > Basically the fear are base camps from which to launch an attack.
> > > > As Erin stated below, if there are measures in place (not just
> > > > vlans) to prevent access from the log machine to the Card Holder
> > > > data environment then it may be that the device will be out of
> > > > scope.
> > >
> > > Why not just VLANs? Do we not trust VLANs or are we worried about VLAN
> > > misconfiguration? Or switch compromise? Cisco commissioned a study by
> > > @Stake (IIRC) which made a pretty good case for VLAN security. Of
> > > course, that may just be Cisco getting the results it paid for. But it
> > > seemed reasonable to me.
>
>
>
> --
> Daniel Regalado aka Danux
> Hacker Wanna Be from Nezahualcoyotl
>
> www.macula-group.com
>
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--
Tim Shea, CISSP
612-384-6810
tim () tshea net

http://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyshea



--
Tim Shea, CISSP
612-384-6810
tim () tshea net

http://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyshea

------------------------------------------------------------------------
This list is sponsored by: Information Assurance Certification Review Board

Prove to peers and potential employers without a doubt that you can actually do a proper penetration test. IACRB CPT 
and CEPT certs require a full practical examination in order to become certified.

http://www.iacertification.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------