← PCI DSS 4.0.1 · Req 12 — Policies and programmes
12.6 — Security awareness programme
Requirement
A formal security awareness programme makes all personnel aware of the security policy and their role in protecting cardholder data; personnel receive awareness training on hire and at least every 12 months, including phishing and related social-engineering attacks, and acknowledge the policies at least annually.
What the engine looks for
Every group below must be satisfied — by an affirmative statement, not a plan, a hedge or a denial — for the control to count as covered. A term ending in … matches any word it begins. Supporting terms do not change the verdict — they raise confidence and distinguish a policy that names a mechanism from one that gestures at a category.
Finding any of these outranks coverage — a policy that admits the gap is worse than silence.
Equivalent controls elsewhere
Matched on shared topics. Satisfying this control usually moves these too.
| Framework | Control | Title | Shared topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 27001 | A.6.3 | Information security awareness, education and training | training awareness |
| GLBA | 314.4(e) | Security awareness training and qualified security personnel | training awareness |
| NIST CSF 2.0 | PR.AT-01 | Personnel are provided awareness and training | training awareness |
| NDPA 2023 | GAID Art.30 | Privacy training and internal sensitisation (GAID 2025) | training awareness |
| CCPA/CPRA | 1798.130(a)(6) & Regs 7100 | Training for staff who handle privacy inquiries | training |
| SOC 2 | CC1.1 | Commitment to integrity and ethical values | training |
| SOC 2 | CC1.4 | Competence of personnel | training |
| SOC 2 | CC2.2 | Internal communication of responsibilities | training |