The PCI Security Standards Council maintains rigorous guidelines for its Software Security Framework Assessors. To that end, it has created a clear-cut program to help all Software Security Framework Assessors uphold a strong profile by following a process that ensures their consistency, credibility, competency and ethics. The quality assurance (QA) program is based on eight guiding principles that the assessor community must adhere to:

1. Uphold the best interest of the assessor client
2. Adhere to validation requirements among the assessor company
3. Adhere to validation requirements among the assessor employee
4. Maintain consistent assessor procedures and reporting
5. Interpret the PCI standards appropriately as applicable to the client's systems & environment
6. Remain current with industry trends and PCI SSC updates in the assessor community
7. Report all opinions as factual, documented and defensible
8. Maintain a positive relationship between the assessor and PCI SSC

When a Software Security Framework Assessor enters remediation within the QA program, it indicates there is a need for the Software Security Framework Assessor to improve in one or more areas of their operations. These areas may include a lack of documentation in a series of reports, failure to meet business expectations with a fully operational internal QA program, or a failure to renew appropriate insurance coverage or other requirements addressed within the Software Security Framework Assessor Qualification Requirements. The PCI Security Standards Council has full confidence in all Software Security Framework Assessors posted on our Website. These organizations have successfully demonstrated years of security experience prior to qualifying, and knowledge of the PCI Software Security Framework Assessor requirements, supplemented with annual training and testing. In short, simply because a Software Security Framework Assessor is in remediation, it does not nullify their knowledge of the PCI Software Security Framework Standards' subject matter. All Software Security Framework Assessors currently in remediation status are working diligently with the Council to return to good standing.