PCI DSS 5.1.1: Documenting Anti-Malware Policies for Requirement 5
PCI DSS 5.1.1 requires that all security policies and procedures for malware protection are documented, maintained, and communicated across your organization. Without clear documentation and awareness, your anti-malware defenses become fragmented and unenforceable. This control ensures your entire team understands and follows consistent malware prevention practices.
What this means
This control mandates comprehensive documentation of all security policies and procedures related to malware detection, prevention, and response. These policies must be current, actively used by your organization, and understood by every employee with security responsibilities. Documentation serves as the foundation for consistent malware protection across all systems and networks.
How to comply
- 1.Create written anti-malware policies covering detection, prevention, removal, and incident response procedures
- 2.Document the scope of malware protection requirements for all systems and network segments
- 3.Establish update procedures to keep policies current with emerging threats and technology changes
- 4.Define roles and responsibilities for malware-related security tasks
- 5.Create distribution and acknowledgment processes to ensure all affected staff receive and understand policies
- 6.Implement periodic policy reviews (at least annually) and document approval by management
- 7.Maintain evidence of policy communication and staff training or acknowledgment
Evidence auditors look for
- Documented anti-malware policy document with clear version control and approval dates
- Policy distribution logs showing delivery to all relevant personnel
- Employee acknowledgment records or training completion certificates
- Management sign-off memos approving policy updates
- Meeting minutes demonstrating policy review and update discussions
- Screenshots or records of staff access to shared policy repositories
- Incident response procedure documentation referencing malware scenarios
- Annual policy review documentation with change logs
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
GRCWatch centralizes your anti-malware policy documentation and automatically tracks staff acknowledgment and training records, eliminating manual policy distribution and evidence gathering for 5.1.1 audits.
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