What Is PCI SLC? A Guide to the Secure Software Lifecycle Standard for Payment Applications

As software development accelerates, ensuring security at every stage of the lifecycle has become a key priority—especially in the payment industry. The PCI Secure Software Lifecycle (PCI SLC) Standard, part of the PCI Software Security Framework (PCI SSF), guides software vendors in embedding security into the design, development, deployment, and maintenance of payment applications.

This blog provides an overview of the PCI SLC standard, how it compares to PCI DSS, and what software vendors need to do to comply.

What Is PCI SLC?

The PCI SLC Standard helps software vendors design, build, and maintain secure payment software. It ensures security is incorporated from the initial design phase all the way through deployment and future updates.

Key objectives of PCI SLC:

• Embed security in all stages of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
• Reduce vulnerabilities through secure coding practices
• Enable secure patching and software distribution
• Integrate threat modeling and risk analysis into development
• Ensure development teams follow consistent security practices

PCI DSS vs. PCI SLC: What’s the Difference?

Key Requirements of the PCI SLC Standard

1. Secure Software Development Practices

• Follow secure coding guidelines (e.g., OWASP, NIST)
• Implement authentication and access control in software
• Conduct regular security testing (Static Analysis – SAST, Dynamic Analysis – DAST)

2. Threat Modeling & Risk Management

• Continuously assess risks throughout the SDLC
• Identify and mitigate common threats such as injection, overflow, and insecure storage

3. Secure Software Distribution & Patching

• Digitally sign software to ensure integrity
• Apply patches promptly to mitigate discovered vulnerabilities

4. Security Governance for Software Vendors

• Define internal security policies and procedures
• Provide ongoing security training for development teams
• Maintain documentation and audit logs across the SDLC

Why PCI SLC Compliance Matters for Software Vendors

Conclusion

PCI SLC brings security into the heart of payment software development. By aligning with this standard, software vendors not only improve security but also prepare for evolving compliance expectations in a post-PA-DSS world.

Need help aligning your software development practices with PCI SLC? Contact our experts today to assess your readiness and build a secure software lifecycle program tailored to your needs.