For PCI DSS external vulnerability scanning, choose a provider that is currently listed by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) as an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), and confirm the provider will use its approved ASV scan solution for Requirement 11.3.2. Then compare how it handles asset scope, scheduling, reports, remediation support and rescans. Internal scanning is a separate activity: a general-purpose vulnerability scanner does not replace the required ASV scan.
What kind of PCI DSS scan do you need?
PCI DSS distinguishes between internal and external vulnerability scanning. Both scans are required at least once every three months, with remediation and rescanning forming part of the process. The external requirement has an additional qualification rule: for Requirement 11.3.2, the scan must be performed by a PCI SSC-listed ASV using that provider’s ASV scan solution.
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| Scan activity | What it covers | Who or what qualifies | How results are used |
|---|---|---|---|
| External ASV scan | In-scope public-facing assets exposed to the internet | A currently listed PCI SSC ASV using its approved ASV scan solution | Provides evidence for the external scanning requirement; findings must be addressed and rescanned as applicable |
| Internal vulnerability scan | Systems and network assets within the internal environment | Conducted by qualified internal staff or a third party; the ASV qualification rule for external scans is distinct | Informs the entity’s vulnerability identification and risk-ranking process |
Do not assume one scanner or service automatically covers both activities. Select the ASV service for the external requirement where it applies, and separately ensure that your internal scanning process meets your organization’s PCI DSS obligations.
How to compare ASV providers
PCI SSC’s ASV qualification process evaluates scan administration, scan performance and report output. Those standards-backed areas are a better basis for comparison than an unsupported claim that one scanner is universally “best.”
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1. Verify the provider and scan solution
Check the PCI SSC ASV listing at the time you evaluate or buy the service; provider standing can change. Confirm that the provider will scan the assets in your scope through its approved ASV workflow, rather than offering a different scan and treating it as equivalent.
2. Confirm scope and administration
Ask how the provider identifies and maintains scan targets, prepares the scan, schedules recurring runs, handles asset changes and accepts rescan requests. Clarify who is responsible for keeping the target list complete and current. The precise administrative features differ by provider, so ask for a demonstration of the workflow your team would actually use.
3. Understand findings and remediation support
PCI SSC tests an ASV’s ability to identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations on its test infrastructure. In a provider comparison, examine how findings are explained, prioritized and routed to the people responsible for fixing them. Ask what assistance the service offers during remediation and how you request a rescan to verify a fix.
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The entity remains responsible for its environment and remediation. A provider may make the process easier, but buying an ASV service does not transfer responsibility for correcting findings or maintaining the systems in scope.
4. Inspect report output
Ask to see a sample report and confirm that you understand the official ASV report format and the information it provides. If the provider also offers certificates or letters, ask how those supplemental documents are labeled and how they relate to the official scan report. PCI SSC evaluates ASV report output and requires official report templates.
5. Make recurring scans operationally reliable
Assign an owner for quarterly scheduling, asset changes, missed-scan escalation and evidence retention. Confirm how the service alerts your team to upcoming scans, failed runs or findings that need attention. A scan performed later cannot be backdated to cure a missed recurring period, so scheduling ownership is a compliance control, not just a convenience.
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Do outsourced-payment merchants still need an ASV scan?
PCI SSC’s June 2026 FAQ says PCI DSS v4.x SAQ A includes Requirement 11.3.2 ASV scanning for covered e-commerce merchant webpages even when payment processing is fully outsourced to a third-party service provider. The FAQ discusses merchant webpages that redirect transactions to the provider and those that embed the provider’s payment page in an iframe. Check the FAQ and applicable SAQ instructions against the merchant’s actual scope; outsourcing processing alone does not settle the scanning question.
Does a passing PCI scan mean you are PCI compliant?
No. An ASV report is evidence for the external scanning requirement, not a review or certification of every PCI DSS requirement. PCI SSC states that “this scan report is not an indication that any other PCI DSS requirements have been reviewed or are in place.” The organization still needs to complete the applicable PCI DSS assessment and validation process. Acquirers and payment brands may request scan reports or other documents, so confirm submission expectations with whoever manages your compliance program.
Quick Recap
A practical selection checklist
- Verify that the ASV is currently listed by PCI SSC.
- Confirm that the service uses the provider’s approved ASV scan solution for Requirement 11.3.2.
- Agree which public-facing assets are in scope and how changes to those assets are handled.
- Review scan preparation, recurring scheduling, rescan requests and missed-scan escalation.
- Inspect a sample official report and distinguish it from supplemental certificates or letters.
- Understand how findings are explained and what remediation assistance is included.
- Assign internal owners for remediation, quarterly scheduling and evidence retention.
- Maintain a separate internal scanning process; do not treat the ASV scan as a substitute.
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