Episode 8 — Map payment data flows from capture to disposal
A clean data-flow map turns complex narratives into simple, testable pathways, which is exactly what the PCIP exam rewards. In this episode you build a lifecycle view from initial capture (in-store POS, e-commerce, MOTO/IVR) through transmission, processing, temporary storage, and ultimate disposal. You will catalog systems that store, process, or transmit cardholder data, plus connected components that could impact its security. We tie each hop to artifacts—network diagrams, inventory lists, data-flow diagrams with trust boundaries, and third-party listings—so you can recognize what proof a correct answer would reference. The mapping also highlights where sensitive authentication data may appear briefly (e.g., during authorization) and how design choices remove or reduce exposure.
We translate the map into exam-ready examples: an e-commerce site capturing PAN in a secure iFrame that posts directly to a gateway (merchant never stores or processes PAN), a call center using DTMF masking to keep PAN out of recordings, and a retail store moving to validated P2PE so only encrypted data enters the merchant network. Best practices include assigning clear owners for each flow, documenting normal and exception paths, and marking disposal points with retention timers. Troubleshooting focuses on “hidden” flows: debug logs, crash dumps, analytics tags, backups, and third-party scripts injecting code at runtime. When confronted with a long stem, you will trace actor → capture method → data path → storage points → disposal and then choose the answer that names the correct control and the evidence that proves it. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
