Assessor_New_V4 Assessor_New_V4 Exam Questions and Answers

The PCI DSS requires that access to databases containing cardholder data is restricted to authorized users and applications, and that direct access to such databases is prohibited. According to the PCI DSS Requirement 7.1.2, “Restrict access to privileged user IDs to least privileges necessary to perform job responsibilities.” Furthermore, according to the PCI DSS Requirement 8.3.1, “Implement multi-factor authentication for all non-console access into the cardholder data environment for personnel with administrative access.” Therefore, the scenario that meets the PCI DSS requirements for restricting access to databases containing cardholder data is the one where user access to the database is only through programmatic methods, such as through an application interface that enforces authentication, authorization, and encryption. The other scenarios either allow direct access to the database, or do not limit the access to the least privileges necessary, or do not use multi-factor authentication for administrative access. References: [PCI DSS v3.2.1], Card Production Security Assessor - Logical - Credly

PCI DSS Requirement 11.5 states that entities must deploy a change-detection mechanism (for example, file-integrity monitoring tools) to alert personnel to unauthorized modification of critical system files, configuration files, or content files; and configure the software to perform critical file comparisons at least weekly1. This is to ensure that any unauthorized or malicious changes to the files are detected and reported in a timely manner, and that the integrity and security of the files are maintained. Critical files are those that affect the security of the cardholder data environment (CDE), such as system files, application executables, configuration files, database files, and log files2. Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

The other options are not true regarding the frequency of critical file comparisons for a change-detection mechanism. Option B is not true because PCI DSS does not allow the entity to define the periodicity of the file comparisons, as it specifies a minimum frequency of at least weekly1. Option C is not true because PCI DSS does not limit the file comparisons to only after a valid change is installed, as it requires the file comparisons to be performed at least weekly regardless of the change status1. Option D is not true because PCI DSS does not allow the file comparisons to be performed at least monthly, as it requires a higher frequency of at least weekly1. References:

• PCI DSS v3.2.1
• File Integrity Monitoring Tools For PCI DSS

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, intrusion detection techniques are required to alert personnel of suspected compromises that could compromise cardholder data or payment processing systems. This is one of the requirements for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities that could compromise cardholder data.

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, the security protocol accepts only trusted keys. This is one of the requirements for ensuring secure encryption and authentication.

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, a compensating control must address the risk associated with not adhering to a PCI DSS requirement and must be approved by an authorized person before implementation. This is one of the requirements for reducing or eliminating a risk that cannot be eliminated by other means

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, security policies and operational procedures should be distributed to and understood by all affected parties, such as management, staff, contractors, vendors, and service providers. This is one of the requirements for ensuring that security policies and operational procedures are communicated and followed consistently.

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, the same AOC template is used for ROCs and SAQs. This is one of the requirements for ensuring consistency and accuracy in ROCs and SAQs.

Segmentation is a method of isolating system components that store, process, or transmit cardholder data from systems that do not, by using security controls such as firewalls, routers, switches, or other devices1. Segmentation can reduce the scope of the cardholder data environment (CDE) and thus reduce the scope of the PCI DSS assessment, as only the systems and networks within the CDE or connected to the CDE are subject to PCI DSS requirements2. Virtual LANs (VLANs) are one example of such a security control, as they can create logical subnetworks that separate different types of traffic and restrict access between them3. Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

The other options are not true regarding the scenario that describes segmentation of the cardholder data environment (CDE) for the purposes of reducing PCI DSS scope. Option A is not true because routers that monitor network traffic flows between the CDE and out-of-scope networks are not sufficient to isolate the CDE, as they do not prevent or limit the traffic flows. Option B is not true because firewalls that log all network traffic flows between the CDE and out-of-scope networks are not sufficient to isolate the CDE, as they do not block or filter the traffic flows. Option D is not true because a network configuration that prevents all network traffic between the CDE and out-of-scope networks is not realistic or feasible, as some traffic may be necessary for business or legal reasons, such as payment processing, reporting, or auditing. References:

• Network Segmentation - PCI Security Standards Council
• Guidance for PCI DSS Scoping and Network Segmentation
• VLANs and PCI Compliance: What You Need to Know

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, system configuration and parameter files must be monitored by a change-detection mechanism (for example, a file-integrity monitoring tool). This is one of the requirements for ensuring that changes to system configuration and parameter files are detected and verified.

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, assigning a unique ID to each person is intended to ensure individual users are accountable for their own actions, rather than shared accounts or group accounts based on need-to-know. This is one of the requirements for ensuring that user accounts are properly managed and controlled.

 The Software Security Framework (SSF) is a collection of standards and programs for the secure design and development of payment software1. The SSF replaces the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) with modern requirements that support a broader array of payment software types, technologies, and development methodologies2. The SSF applies to any payment software that is part of the cardholder data environment (CDE), which is the people, processes, and technologies that store, process, or transmit cardholder data or sensitive authentication data3. Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

The other options are not true regarding the applicability of the SSF to different software types. Option B is not true because the SSF is not limited to software that runs on PCI PTS devices, which are hardware devices that accept payment card data at the point of interaction. The SSF covers software that runs on various platforms and devices, such as web servers, mobile devices, cloud services, and embedded systems. Option C is not true because the SSF is not limited to validated payment applications that are listed by PCI SSC and have undergone a PA-DSS assessment, which are payment applications that have been validated by PA-DSS assessors and meet the PA-DSS requirements. The SSF covers payment software that may not be eligible for PA-DSS validation, such as software that is developed by merchants or service providers for their own use, or software that is not sold, distributed, or licensed to a third party. Option D is not true because the SSF is not limited to software that is developed by the entity in accordance with the Secure SLC Standard, which is one of the two standards that are part of the SSF and provides security requirements and assessment procedures for software vendors to integrate into their software development lifecycles. The SSF covers payment software that is developed by any entity, whether it is a software vendor, a merchant, a service provider, or a third party, as long as it meets the security requirements and validation procedures of the Secure Software Standard, which is the other standardthat is part of the SSF and provides security requirements and assessment procedures for payment software products. References:

• Understanding the PCI Software Security Framework: New Educational Resources
• PCI Software Security Framework Provides a Modern Approach to Payment Software Security
• PCI DSS v3.2.1
• [PCI PTS POI Security Requirements]
• [Software Security Framework Secure Software Standard]
• [Payment Application Data Security Standard]
• [Software Security Framework Secure Software Life Cycle (Secure SLC) Standard]
• [PCI DSS v4.0: Is the Customized Approach Right For Your Organization?]

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, installing one primary function per server is intended to prevent server functions with a lower security level from introducingsecurity weaknesses to higher-security functions on the same server. This is one of the requirements for ensuring that server functions are isolated from each other.

Hashing is a form of one-way encryption that transforms a data element into a unique fixed-size data element (hash value) without a way to get the original data element from the hash value1. Truncation is a method of rendering the full PAN unreadable by permanently removing a segment of the PAN data2. PCI DSS Requirement 3.4 states that entities must render the PAN unreadable wherever it is stored, using any of the following methods: one-way hashes based on strong cryptography, truncation, index tokens and pads, or strong cryptography with associated key-management processes and procedures3. However, PCI DSS Requirement 3.4e also states that if hashed and truncated versions of the same PAN are present in the environment, additional controls must be in place to ensure that the hashed and truncated versions cannot be correlated to reconstruct the original PAN3. This is because if an attacker obtains both the hashed and truncated versions of the same PAN, they may be able to use a brute-force or dictionary attack to guess the original PAN by hashing and truncating different PAN values until they find a match4. Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

The other options are not true regarding the presence of both hashed and truncated versions of the same PAN in an environment. Option B is not true because PCI DSS does not require the hashed version of the PAN to be also truncated, although it is a recommended best practice to further reduce the risk of exposing the original PAN5. Option C is not true because PCI DSS does not require the hashed and truncated versions to be correlated, as this would defeat the purpose of rendering the PAN unreadable and increase the risk of exposing the original PAN. Option D is not true because PCI DSS does not prohibit the presence of both hashed and truncated versions of the same PAN in the same environment, as long as additional controls are in place to prevent the reconstruction of the original PAN. References:

• Protect hashed CardHolder Data according to PCI DSS 3.4 - Advantio
• PCI DSS Truncation Rules and Guidelines - Truvantis
• PCI DSS v3.2.1
• Storing Card Numbers using hashed and truncated version of PAN
• pci dss - Credit card data security - hashing, truncation and encryption - Information Security Stack Exchange

The PCI DSS requires that the assessor validates that the sample of business facilities is representative of the entire population of facilities that are in scope for the assessment. According to the PCI DSS Requirement 12.8.5, “Maintain information about which PCI DSS requirements are managed by each service provider, and which are managed by the entity.” Furthermore, according to the PCI DSS Requirement 12.9.1, “For service providers, provide the written agreement/acknowledgment to their customers as specified at Requirement 12.8.2.” Therefore, the scenario that meets the PCI DSS requirements for validating the sample of business facilities is theone where all types and locations of facilities are represented, to ensure that the assessment covers the diversity and complexity of the card production environment. The other scenarios either do not account for the variability of the facilities, or do not follow the sampling methodology defined by the PCI DSS. References: PCI DSS v3.2.1, Card Production Security Assessor - Physical - Credly

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, the assessor may use either their own template or the ROC Reporting Template provided by PCI SSC. This is one of the requirements for ensuring consistency and accuracy in ROCs.