PCI Security Standards Council Opens Nominations for Global Executive Assessor Roundtable (GEAR)

PCI Council Announces GEAR Nomination Process

The PCI Security Standards Council has announced the upcoming nomination period for its Global Executive Assessor Roundtable (GEAR), set to begin on June 1, 2026. This announcement, made through the Council's "Coffee with the Council" podcast series, highlights the organization's commitment to incorporating assessor community feedback into its governance structure.

What is the Global Executive Assessor Roundtable?

The Global Executive Assessor Roundtable (GEAR) serves as a representative body for the PCI assessor community, providing a formal mechanism for Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) and other assessment professionals to contribute to the development and refinement of PCI standards. GEAR members act as liaisons between the broader assessor community and the PCI Security Standards Council leadership.

This roundtable plays a crucial role in ensuring that the practical experiences and insights of assessment professionals are considered when developing new standards, updating existing requirements, or making policy decisions that affect the payment card industry.

Impact on Payment Security Compliance

The GEAR initiative represents a significant step toward more collaborative governance in payment security standards. By formally incorporating assessor perspectives, the PCI Council aims to create more practical and implementable standards that address real-world challenges faced during compliance assessments.

Organizations undergoing PCI DSS assessments may benefit from this enhanced collaboration, as it could lead to clearer guidance, more consistent assessment practices, and standards that better reflect operational realities. The assessor community's direct input helps bridge the gap between theoretical compliance requirements and practical implementation challenges.

Participation Requirements and Process

While specific nomination criteria have not been detailed in this announcement, the GEAR typically seeks experienced assessment professionals who can effectively represent the diverse perspectives within the assessor community. Nominees are generally expected to have:

• Extensive experience conducting PCI DSS assessments
• Leadership roles within assessment organizations
• Demonstrated commitment to payment security best practices
• Ability to collaborate effectively with industry stakeholders

What Organizations Should Know

For organizations currently pursuing or maintaining PCI DSS compliance, the GEAR initiative offers several potential benefits:

Enhanced Standard Quality: Direct assessor input helps ensure that PCI standards remain practical and achievable while maintaining security effectiveness.

Improved Assessment Consistency: Regular collaboration between assessors and the Council promotes more uniform interpretation and application of compliance requirements.

Faster Issue Resolution: The roundtable provides a structured channel for addressing assessment challenges and clarifying ambiguous requirements.

Organizations should stay informed about GEAR developments, as the roundtable's work may influence future updates to PCI DSS requirements, assessment procedures, and compliance guidance.

Next Steps for the Assessment Community

The nomination period opening on June 1, 2026, represents an opportunity for qualified assessment professionals to contribute directly to the evolution of payment security standards. Interested candidates should prepare their nominations and ensure they meet the Council's participation criteria.

This initiative reinforces the PCI Council's commitment to collaborative governance and continuous improvement of payment security standards through community engagement and expert input.