Free and Premium PCI SSC QSA_New_V4 Dumps Questions Answers

 Requirement for Secure Transmission:

PCI DSS Requirement 4.1 mandates that cardholder data sent over open public networks must be protected with strong cryptographic protocols. Accepting only trusted keys ensures data integrity and prevents unauthorized access​​.

 Key Validation Practices:

Trusted keys and certificates are verified to ensure authenticity. Using untrusted keys compromises the security of the encrypted communication.

 Prohibited Practices:

A/D:Configuring protocols to accept all certificates or lower encryption strength violates PCI DSS encryption guidelines.

B:Proprietary protocols are not inherently compliant unless they meet strong cryptographic standards.

 Testing and Verification:

Assessors verify the implementation of trusted keys by examining encryption settings, reviewing certificate chains, and conducting tests to confirm only trusted connections are accepted​​.

 Attestation of Compliance (AOC):

The AOC is a document that confirms an entity’s compliance with PCI DSS requirements. It is signed by the entity (merchant or service provider) and the Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) if a QSA is involved.

 Different AOC Templates:

PCI DSS provides distinct templates for service providers and merchants, tailored to their respective roles and responsibilities within the cardholder data environment (CDE)​​.

 Invalid Options:

B:PCI SSC does not sign AOCs; they are signed by the merchant/service provider and the QSA.

C:AOCs differ between ROCs and SAQs, so the same template is not universally used.

D:Both the merchant/service provider and the QSA/ISA (Internal Security Assessor) must sign the AOC when applicable.

TheSoftware Security Framework (SSF)is intended to support entities usingbespoke and custom softwarewithin the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE). If the software is developed and maintained in accordance with theSecure Software Lifecycle (SLC) Standard, it can help demonstrate secure software development practices and potentially reduce the number of applicable PCI DSS requirements.

Option A:Incorrect. Not all payment software qualifies unless developed under SSF standards.

Option B:Incorrect. PCI PTS devices follow different hardware security standards.

Option C:Incorrect. PA-DSS has been retired; those applications are now listed as “Acceptable Only for Pre-Existing Deployments”.

Option D:Correct. Software developed under the Secure SLC Standard may help an entity meet some requirements in PCI DSS Requirement 6.

Thesettlement phaseis when:

Themerchant’s acquiring bank pays the merchant, and

Theissuing bank bills the cardholder.

This occursafter authorization and clearinghave already taken place.

Option A:❌Incorrect. Authorization verifies the card and funds but doesn’t trigger payment.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Clearing exchanges transaction details between banks but doesn’t finalise funds.

Option C:✅Correct. Settlement is whenfunds are actually transferred.

Option D:❌Incorrect. Chargebacks reverse transactions, not settle them.

 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.

Requirement 11.5.1mandates that organisations deployintrusion-detection or prevention toolstomonitor traffic and generate alertsfor suspicious activity. The goal is tonotify personnel quicklyof a possible breach.

Option A:❌Incorrect. IDS/IPS isnot requiredon every component — only where it adds value.

Option B:✅Correct. IDS/IPS must be configured toalert on potential compromises.

Option C:❌Incorrect. Segmentation is a separate concern under Requirement 1.

Option D:❌Incorrect. IDS is not for discovering cardholder data.

According toRequirement 8.2.1, PCI DSS mandates that all users be assigned aunique IDbefore accessing system components or cardholder data. This ensuresaccountability, enabling identification of actions taken by each user.

Option A:❌Incorrect. Password strength is addressed underRequirement 8.3, not unique ID.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Shared accounts areprohibitedregardless of admin status.

Option C:✅Correct. Unique IDs ensure thateach user's actions can be traced.

Option D:❌Incorrect. Group accounts are discouraged in favour of individual accountability.

Requirement 4.2.1.1states that PAN must beprotected with strong cryptographywhenever transmitted overopen or public networks, includingprivate wirelesswhere security is not assured. While not allprivate wired networksrequire encryption,wirelessis generally considered untrusted.

Option A:✅Correct. PAN must be encrypted overprivate wireless networksdue to potential interception risks.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Privatewirednetworks typically don’t require encryption unless they’re untrusted.

Option C & D:❌Incorrect. PANalways requires protectionover public networks.

Requirement 10.5.1.1requires thataudit logs be protected from unauthorised viewing and modification, and access should berestricted to individuals with a job-related need to view them. This principle aligns with least privilege and ensures accountability.

Option A:❌Incorrect. The person who performed the action may not need to view logs.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Read/write access istoo permissive.

Option C:❌Incorrect. Not all administrators need access to logs.

Option D:✅Correct. Access should bebased on job function.

As specified underRequirement 11.5.2.1, comparisons of critical files (e.g., config files, executables) using change-detection mechanisms (e.g., FIM tools)must occur at least weekly. This ensures timely detection of unauthorized changes or tampering.

Option A:✅Correct. Weekly is theminimum frequencyrequired.

Option B:❌Incorrect. A defined "period" is not sufficient unless it's weekly or more frequent.

Option C:❌Incorrect. Scans should not wait for changes; they should detectunexpectedones.

Option D:❌Incorrect. Monthly is too infrequent for PCI DSS compliance.

Formulti-tenant service providers,isolation and segmentationare critical. As perRequirement 12.10.3, each customer’s environment must besegregated and protectedsuch that no tenant can access another’s data or systems.

Option A:✅Correct. This is the foundational control —isolation of customer environments.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Exposing system config files is a security risk.

Option C:❌Incorrect. Shared user IDs areexplicitly prohibitedby Requirement 8.2.1.

Option D:❌Incorrect. Customers should only access their own logs.

According toRequirement 1.2.1of PCI DSS v4.0.1, network security controls (NSCs), such as firewalls and segmentation controls, are used torestrict and control trafficbetween trusted and untrusted networks. This includes logical or physical network segmentation.

Option A:Incorrect. Anti-malware is addressed in Requirement 5.

Option B:Correct. NSCs control and restrict inbound and outbound traffic between logical and physical network segments.

Option C:Incorrect. Vulnerability management is under Requirement 6.

Option D:Incorrect. PAN encryption is covered in Requirement 3.5.

There areseparate Attestation of Compliance (AOC) templatesfor different use cases, specifically formerchantsandservice providers, and forSAQsversusROCs. Each template is tailored to match the reporting needs of that assessment type.

Option A:✅Correct. PCI SSC publishes distinct AOC templates depending on whether the entity is a merchant or service provider, and depending on whether they are completing an SAQ or ROC.

Option B:❌Incorrect. The AOC is not signed by PCI SSC. It must be signed by the assessed entity and, where applicable, the QSA or ISA.

Option C:❌Incorrect. ROCs and SAQs use different AOC formats.

Option D:❌Incorrect. Both the entity and the assessor (if applicable)mustsign.

 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.

UnderAppendix D – Customized Approach, it is clearly stated that theentity is responsiblefor completing theControls Matrixand theTargeted Risk Analysis (TRA). The assessor may assist in completion, but accountability for content lies with the entity.

Option A:Incorrect. QSAs may assist but are not solely responsible.

Option B:Incorrect. This overstates who is responsible; only the entity is ultimately accountable.

Option C:Correct. The entity being assessed is responsible for completing the Controls Matrix and TRA.

Option D:Incorrect. Card brands or acquirers are not involved in document creation.

Stateful inspection (or stateful packet filtering)tracks the state of active connections and determines which packets are part of a valid session.Requirement 1.4.2references the use of network security controls (NSCs) withstateful filteringcapability to allow legitimate trafficonly in response to trusted requests.

Option A:❌Incorrect. Firewall admin procedures are not what “stateful” refers to.

Option B:✅Correct. “Stateful responses” mean tracking existing connections toblock unauthorised or spoofed responses.

Option C:❌Incorrect. That describes configuration management, not stateful filtering.

Option D:❌Incorrect. Logging is important but not part of stateful inspection.

PCI DSSRequirement 11.5.2mandates the use of file-integrity monitoring (FIM) or change-detection tools to monitorcritical filessuch as system binaries, configuration files, and system parameters.

Option A:❌Incorrect. Manuals are not critical system files.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Regularly changing files (e.g., logs or temp files) are typically excluded.

Option C:❌Incorrect. Policies and procedures are reviewed but not subject to FIM.

Option D:✅Correct. System config and parameter files must bemonitored for unauthorised changes.

According toRequirement 9.3.1and9.4.1.2, physical access control mechanisms — including badge readers — must beprotected against tampering or disablingto prevent unauthorized access and maintain the integrity of access logs.

Option A:Correct. Physical access control systems must be protected from tampering.

Option B:Incorrect. Video cameras are requiredonly where appropriate; badge access may suffice.

Option C:Incorrect. Access logs must beretained for at least three months, not deleted monthly (see 9.4.1.3).

Option D:Incorrect. Motion sensors are not specifically required.

PerRequirement 7.2.5and8.2.2, PCI DSS recommends thatonly application-layer accessbe allowed to databases storing cardholder data, preventing users from issuing direct SQL queries or accessing the database via administrative tools.

Option A:✅Correct. Restricting database access toprogrammatic (application-layer) methodsis strongly preferred and aligns with PCI DSS guidance.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Admins should not have unrestricted access unless justified and monitored.

Option C:❌Incorrect. Application IDs must not be used interactively by individuals (Requirement 8.6.1).

Option D:❌Incorrect. Shared accounts are disallowed (Requirement 8.2.1).

 Definition of Quarterly:

PCI DSS defines "quarterly" as occurring once within each calendar quarter. This means the activity must happen at least once in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, with no rigid restrictions on specific days​​.

 Clarification on Other Options:

B:While 95–97 days approximates a quarter, it is not mandated as a rigid timeframe.

C/D:Fixed dates (e.g., 15th or 1st of specific months) are not prescribed in PCI DSS.

PerRequirement 10.6.1, PCI DSS mandates that time-synchronization technology be used, andsystems must be synchronized to a central time serverthat itself receives time from an approved external source. This ensures logs can be accurately correlated.

Option A:Incorrect. Time inconsistency arises if each system operates independently.

Option B:Incorrect. Time configuration must berestricted to authorised personnel only.

Option C:Correct. Time should be sourced from a centralised server which is in sync with reliable external sources.

Option D:Incorrect. Each system peering independently can cause inconsistencies.

Under theCustomized Approach, assessors are responsible forderiving and documenting the testing proceduresinAppendix E of the Report on Compliance (ROC). The assessor must ensure the controlmeets the requirement objectiveand validate it throughcustom testing.

Option A:❌Incorrect. Ongoing monitoring is the entity’s responsibility, not the assessor’s.

Option B:✅Correct. The assessor must derive anddocument testingin Appendix E.

Option C:❌Incorrect. The entity documents control details; the assessor documents test results.

Option D:❌Incorrect. Theentitymust perform the targeted risk analysis, not the assessor.