Regional Compliance: Using Exception Control to Support PCI-DSS & ISO 27001 in APAC SMEs
Across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, SMEs increasingly adopt PCI-DSS (for payment data) and ISO 27001 (for information security). Both frameworks expect documented risk and exception handling, yet SMEs often overlook this requirement.
Why It Matters
PCI-DSS
Exceptions like weak encryption, shared passwords, or missing logs must be recorded to avoid compliance failure.
ISO 27001
Exceptions are part of the risk treatment plan and directly tied to certification readiness.
Practical Exception Handling Steps
1. Create a Unified Register
Create a unified register for PCI and ISO exceptions.
2. Define Ownership
Each exception must have a manager responsible.
3. Mitigation Strategies
Even if full compliance isn't immediate, SMEs should apply compensating controls (e.g., monitoring, access restrictions).
4. Review Cycles
Quarterly checks ensure exceptions don't become permanent weaknesses.
Business ROI
The Strategic Advantage
By practicing disciplined exception management, SMEs improve audit readiness, reduce the cost of compliance, and create a repeatable model that scales with growth.