PCI QSA_New_V4 Exam Dumps

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

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.

Hashing and Truncation

PCI DSS Requirement 3.4 mandates protecting stored PAN using methods like hashing and truncation. If both versions coexist, controls must ensure they cannot be combined to reconstruct the original PAN.

Incorrect Options

Option B: Truncation is unrelated to hashed PANs.

Option C: Correlation of hashed and truncated versions to identify the PAN violates PCI DSS principles.

Option D: Coexistence of hashed and truncated PANs is permissible if proper controls are in place.

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.

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.