PCI DSS 12.5.1: Maintain Hardware and Software Inventory
Control 12.5.1 requires organizations to document and maintain a complete inventory of all hardware and software assets, including their functions, versions, and vendors. This foundational practice prevents shadow IT, reduces security gaps, and demonstrates accountability to auditors. Without accurate inventory visibility, you cannot effectively manage vulnerabilities or enforce security policies across your cardholder data environment.
What this means
You must create and maintain a comprehensive inventory that includes every physical device and software application in your organization. The inventory must document the function or intended use of each asset, the specific version numbers for software, and the vendor or manufacturer information. This ongoing record serves as your source of truth for asset management and is critical during security assessments and incident response.
How to comply
- 1.Conduct a complete discovery scan of your network to identify all hardware devices, servers, and endpoints
- 2.Document all installed software applications with exact version numbers and vendor details
- 3.Create a centralized inventory system (spreadsheet, asset management tool, or CMDB) to track all assets
- 4.Record the business function and purpose for each hardware and software asset
- 5.Establish a process to update the inventory whenever new assets are acquired or removed
- 6.Review and validate the inventory at least annually, or whenever significant changes occur
- 7.Assign ownership and responsibility for maintaining each section of the inventory
- 8.Ensure the inventory is accessible to authorized personnel for compliance verification
Evidence auditors look for
- Current hardware inventory list with device types, serial numbers, and assigned functions
- Software license registry showing applications, versions, vendors, and deployment locations
- Network discovery tool reports documenting all connected devices and applications
- Change management logs showing additions, removals, and updates to inventory
- Documented inventory review procedures and update frequency
- Assignment matrix showing who owns and maintains different inventory sections
- Reconciliation reports comparing actual assets to documented inventory records
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
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