The PCI DSS 4.0 deadline on March 31, 2025, marks the enforcement of enhanced security measures initially introduced in March 2022, focusing on stronger authentication, encryption, and monitoring for businesses handling payment card data. These updates are in response to rising sophisticated cyber threats targeting card information and include requirements such as multi-factor authentication, stricter password controls, and thorough risk assessments. A key mandate is the deployment of a web application firewall (WAF) to detect and prevent web-based attacks, which poses challenges due to potential false positives and interference with legitimate traffic. Fastly's Next-Gen WAF is highlighted as a solution that meets PCI DSS 4.0 requirements by offering advanced web application and API protection with minimal false positives and integration flexibility, capable of deploying quickly across various environments. This WAF allows organizations to meet compliance goals efficiently while avoiding disruptions to legitimate operations, making it a favorable option ahead of the impending deadline.