# PCI DSS Compliance Process, Timelines, and Costs | Secureframe

> Learn the typical steps, timelines, and costs associated with PCI DSS certification.

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Achieving PCI DSS compliance gives you and your customers peace of mind that you can protect their cardholder data from evolving threats. But with such rigorous standards, the process of achieving certification can be stressful and intimidating. 

What policies and controls do I need? Do I need a PCI audit? What are the typical costs of getting compliant? What’s the estimated timeline?

Understanding what PCI compliance involves can help you better prepare and reduce the level of stress involved along the way. 

This section will clarify what the steps are for becoming PCI compliant so you’ll know exactly what to expect.