Free PCI SSC QSA_New_V4 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers

Requirement 1.3.7andRequirement 3.3.1emphasise thatdatabases storing cardholder data must not be directly accessible from the Internet or untrusted networks. The database must be behind firewalls and accessible only via controlled, authorised connections.

Option A:❌Incorrect. Combining servers may violate the one-function-per-server rule (Requirement 2.2.1).

Option B:✅Correct. The database must be protected fromdirect public access.

Option C:❌Incorrect. Web servers often reside in the DMZ; moving them internally could increase risk.

Option D:❌Incorrect. Network performance is not a PCI DSS concern —security isolation is.

PerSection 11 and 12of PCI DSS v4.0.1, assessors arerequired to use the official PCI SSC ROC Reporting Template. This ensures uniformity and completeness across all assessments. The same requirement applies to bothmerchants and service providersundergoing afull assessment (ROC).

Option A:✅Correct. PCI SSC mandates use of its official ROC template.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Custom assessor templates arenot permitted.

Option C:❌Incorrect. Assessorsmust notcreate their own templates.

Option D:❌Incorrect. The ROC template is used forbothmerchants and service providers, where applicable.

PCI DSS allows an entity touse both Defined and Customized Approaches, including for different sub-requirements of the same primary requirement,as long as they are eligible and justified. Entities might use the Defined Approach for standard controls and the Customized Approach where flexibility is needed.

Option A:Incorrect. PCI DSS explicitly allows mixed use per Requirement 8 guidance.

Option B:Incorrect. Compensating controls are separate from the Customized Approach.

Option C:Incorrect. Eligibility is not based solely on the absence of compensating controls.

Option D:Correct. Mixed approaches are allowed if eligibility requirements are met.

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.

 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.

 Mandatory ROC Template

PCI DSS v4.0 mandates the use of the PCI SSC-provided ROC Template for all Reports on Compliance​​.

This ensures standardization, completeness, and accuracy in documenting compliance assessments.

 Sections of the ROC Template

The ROC includes mandatory sections:

Assessment Overview:General details, scope validation, and assessment findings.

Findings and Observations:Detailed compliance status per requirement.

 Prohibited Practices

Assessors cannot use self-created ROC templates. Deviation from the PCI SSC-approved template may result in rejection of the report​​.

 Key Changes in v4.0

Enhanced focus on the integrity of reporting and inclusion of specific findings to ensure alignment with PCI DSS objectives.

Added support for the customized approach within the ROC structure​​.

 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.

PerRequirement 10.5.1.2, audit logs must be retained forat least one year, and the mostrecent three months must be readily availablefor analysis. This ensures traceability of security events over both short and longer-term periods.

Option A:✅Correct. Matches both duration and availability criteria.

Option B:❌Incorrect. Two years is not required.

Option C:❌Incorrect. The retention period is misstated.

Option D:❌Incorrect. One month is insufficient for immediate access.

Compensating controls are alternative measures implemented when an entity cannot meet a specific PCI DSS requirement due to legitimate technical or business constraints. These controls must sufficiently mitigate the associated risk and be commensurate with the intent of the original PCI DSS requirement.​

Option A:Incorrect. Even if all other PCI DSS requirements are met, a compensating control is necessary when a specific requirement cannot be directly satisfied.​

Option B:Correct. A compensating control must effectively address and mitigate the risk associated with the inability to meet a particular PCI DSS requirement.​

Option C:Incorrect. While existing controls can support a compensating control, they must collectively address the risk of the unmet requirement and cannot merely be another existing PCI DSS requirement.​

Option D:Incorrect. A compensating control worksheet is mandatory to document the rationale, assessment, and validation of the compensating control, regardless of acquirer approval.​

For detailed guidance on compensating controls, refer toAppendix B: Compensating Controlsin thePCI DSS v4.0.1document.​

 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.