Free and Premium PCI SSC QSA_New_V4 Dumps Questions Answers

Customized Approach Overview:

Under PCI DSS v4.0, entities can use a Customized Approach to meet requirements by implementing controls tailored to their environment. This allows flexibility while still achieving the intent of the security requirement.

Role of Assessors:

Assessors (QSAs) are responsible for evaluating both the implementation of customized controls and ensuring these controls fulfill the security objectives of the PCI DSS requirements​​.

QSAs must document the evaluation, evidence reviewed, and results in the Report on Compliance (ROC).

Controls Matrix and Targeted Risk Analysis (TRA):

The Controls Matrix and TRA are key components of the Customized Approach. QSAs assist in verifying the accuracy and completeness of these tools during assessments​​.

Documenting in the ROC:

The ROC must include a narrative explaining the assessor’s findings regarding the customized control, validation methods, and any evidence collected​.

Relevant PCI DSS v4.0 Guidance:

Appendix D and E of the PCI DSS v4.0 ROC Template emphasize that QSAs can evaluate and confirm adherence to the Customized Approach provided this is documented comprehensively in the ROC​.

Physical Security Requirements:

PCI DSS Requirement 9.1.1 mandates that physical access control systems (like badge readers) must be protected against tampering or disabling to ensure continuous security​​.

Current Implementation:

The merchant’s badge access-control system provides essential logging of access events but must also be protected against tampering to comply with PCI DSS.

Invalid Options:

B:Video cameras are recommended but not explicitly required if access controls effectively ensure security.

C:Secure deletion of access-control logs is not a PCI DSS requirement; logs must be retained as per retention policies.

D:Motion-sensing alarms are not mandatory under PCI DSS physical security requirements.

Key Management Requirements:

PCI DSS Requirement 3.6.5 specifies that when a cryptographic key is retired, it must no longer be used for encryption operations but may still be retained for decryption purposes as needed (e.g., to decrypt historical data until it is re-encrypted with the new key)​.

Secure Key Retirement:

Retired keys should be securely stored or destroyed based on the organization’s key management policy to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.

Reference in PCI DSS Documentation:

Section 3.6.5 emphasizes that retired keys must be rendered inactive for further encryption while allowing use for decryption, ensuring data continuity and compliance​.

Visitor Management Requirements:

PCI DSS Requirement 9.3 specifies that visitors must be escorted at all times in areas where cardholder data is present to prevent unauthorized access or breaches​​.

Invalid Options:

B:Visitor badges must be distinguishable from employee badges.

C:Visitor logs are necessary but do not need detailed personal information like addresses.

D:Retaining visitor identification for 30 days is not a requirement.

Scope of Anti-Malware Requirements

PCI DSS Requirement 5 mandates the use of anti-malware solutions on all in-scope systems unless the system is specifically documented as not being at risk from malware.

Examples of systems not at risk include those using operating systems that do not support anti-malware tools, provided proper justifications and alternative controls are implemented​​.

Assessment Considerations

QSAs must verify and document why a system is considered "not at risk."

Systems storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data or that could impact the CDE are generally in-scope for anti-malware​​.

Incorrect Options

Option A: While CDE systems and connected systems require protection, the requirement applies specifically to systems at risk from malware.

Option B: Portable electronic storage is not explicitly called out for universal anti-malware but must be controlled in line with overall security policies.

Option C: Systems storing PAN are only a subset of in-scope systems.

Segmentation Defined

PCI DSS v4.0 specifies that effective segmentation separates the CDE from out-of-scope environments, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access to cardholder data​.

Key Requirements for Segmentation

Network traffic between the CDE and out-of-scope networks must be completely prevented. This ensures that out-of-scope systems cannot introduce risks to the CDE.

Methods like firewalls, ACLs (Access Control Lists), and other technologies may be used to enforce segmentation.

Incorrect Options

Monitoring or logging traffic (Options A and B) without preventing access does not achieve segmentation.

Virtual LANs (Option C) alone are insufficient unless properly configured to enforce traffic isolation​​.

Compensating Controls Definition and Purpose

A compensating control is an alternate measure that satisfies the intent of a specific PCI DSS requirement and provides an equivalent level of security.

The rationale and risk mitigation must be explicitly documented using the Compensating Control Worksheet (CCW).

Mandatory Documentation

PCI DSS v4.0 mandates the use of a CCW when implementing compensating controls. This applies regardless of acquirer approvals​​.

The CCW requires detailed documentation including:

Constraints preventing the original requirement from being implemented.

Justification for the compensating control.

Description of the control and evidence of its effectiveness.

Using Existing Requirements

If an existing PCI DSS requirement (e.g., Requirement 5 for antivirus) is already implemented and can mitigate the risks of not meeting another requirement, it may qualify as a compensating control​​.

Approval and Review Process

QSAs must validate the implementation, effectiveness, and appropriateness of compensating controls during the assessment process​

Stateful Inspection

PCI DSS Requirement 1.2 specifies the need for stateful inspection to track the state of active connections. This ensures that only valid responses to communication initiated by trusted networks are allowed.

Invalid or unsolicited response traffic is blocked to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities​​.

Key Functionality of Stateful Firewalls

Stateful firewalls maintain session information and only allow traffic that matches an existing session or expected response.

Incorrect Options

Option A: Administrative access restrictions are important but unrelated to stateful responses.

Option C: Baseline configurations are a different security control.

Option D: Logging and correlation are for threat detection, not stateful response.

Testing with Live PANs

PCI DSS Requirement 6.4.3 requires that live PANs (Primary Account Numbers) only be used in secure and controlled environments within the CDE.

Pre-production environments located within the CDE must adhere to all PCI DSS requirements for security and monitoring​​.

Prohibited Uses

Testing with live PANs in environments outside the CDE violates PCI DSS. Only simulated data should be used in less secure testing environments.

Incorrect Options

Option A: Production environments are for real transactions, not testing.

Option B: Test environments outside the CDE are insecure for live PANs.

Option D: The QSA environment is irrelevant to the organization’s CDE testing controls.

PCI PIN Transaction Security (PTS) Standard:

The PCI PTS standard focuses on securing Point-of-Interaction (POI) devices, such as payment terminals, that process payment card transactions and protect account data during capture​​.

Clarifications on Covered Areas:

This standard includes specifications for physical and logical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive cardholder data on POI devices.

Invalid Options:

B:Secure coding practices are addressed by PCI PA-DSS (Payment Application Data Security Standard).

C:Cryptographic algorithm development is not specific to PCI PTS.

D:End-to-end encryption solutions are not covered under PCI PTS.

Intent of Risk Ranking

PCI DSS Requirement 6.3.2 requires that entities assign a risk ranking to vulnerabilities to prioritize remediation efforts.

This ensures that the most critical vulnerabilities are addressed in a timely manner, reducing the risk to the CDE​​.

Practical Implementation

Vulnerabilities are assessed based on potential impact and likelihood of exploitation, typically using industry-standard frameworks like CVSS.

High-risk vulnerabilities may require immediate attention, while lower-priority issues are remediated per schedule.

Incorrect Options

Option A: PCI DSS does not mandate a 30-day remediation window for all vulnerabilities; remediation timelines depend on risk.

Option B: Quarterly ASV scans are still required even with risk ranking.

Option D: Installing patches quarterly does not align with the dynamic prioritization of risks.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA requires at least two factors from different categories: something you know (password), something you have (digital certificate), or something you are (biometric).

PCI DSS Requirement 8 mandates that credentials like certificates must be unique to each user​​.

Secure Certificate Use

Certificates must not be shared and should be assigned individually to ensure accountability and prevent unauthorized access.

Incorrect Options

Option A: Limiting certificates to administrative groups does not fulfill PCI DSS for all users.

Option C: Logging certificates for retrieval is unrelated to security requirements.

Option D: Certificates do not have a mandatory 90-day change requirement.