(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which classification best fits the activities mandated by the PCI Council for merchants?

1. Standard

2. Guideline

3. Policy

4. Protocol

The correct answer is: Standard

The activities mandated by the PCI Council for merchants best fit the classification of "Standard." The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is specifically designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. These standards include a set of requirements that are mandatory for compliance, reflecting the must-do nature of the activities outlined by the PCI Council. Standards are formalized, consistent requirements that organizations must adhere to in order to meet compliance criteria. In this context, the PCI DSS establishes specific technical and operational requirements that merchants need to implement to protect cardholder data, which is crucial for maintaining security in payment card transactions. The other classifications, while relevant to security and compliance discussions, do not carry the same binding nature as a standard. Guidelines offer best practices and recommendations but do not require adherence in the same way. Policies set organizational intent and principles but are broader in scope. Protocols would generally refer to agreed-upon procedures for technical communications and operations, which does not accurately encapsulate the comprehensive mandate provided by PCI standards for merchants. Thus, "Standard" conveys the requirement and the compliance obligation that aligns with PCI Council's intentions.