PCIP STUDY COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is recommended for entities that develop their own
software? Answer: Refer to PCI SSC's software security standards
and consider the requirements as best practices.
◉ What is the purpose of the Secure Software Lifecycle (Secure SLC)
Standard? Answer: It defines security requirements for software
vendors to integrate secure software development practices
throughout the software lifecycle.
◉ What must an entity's PCI DSS assessment include regarding
software? Answer: Verification that the software is properly
configured and securely implemented to support applicable PCI DSS
requirements.
◉ What is the consequence of customizing PCI-listed payment
software? Answer: A more in-depth review will be required during
the PCI DSS assessment as it may no longer represent the originally
validated version.
◉ What does PCI DSS stand for? Answer: Payment Card Industry
Data Security Standard
,◉ Who must comply with PCI DSS? Answer: Payment software
vendors that store, process, or transmit account data, or have access
to customers' account data.
◉ What types of software vendors are included under PCI DSS
applicability? Answer: Payment service providers, cloud service
providers offering payment terminals, SaaS, and e-commerce in the
cloud.
◉ What is the significance of bespoke and custom software in PCI
DSS? Answer: All bespoke and custom software that stores,
processes, or transmits account data is in scope for PCI DSS
assessment.
◉ What standards support compliance with PCI DSS Requirement 6
for bespoke software? Answer: Software Security Framework
standards such as the Secure Software Standard or the Secure SLC
standard.
◉ What is the cardholder data environment (CDE)? Answer: The
CDE includes system components, people, and processes that store,
process, or transmit cardholder data and/or sensitive authentication
data.
,◉ What types of system components are included in PCI DSS
requirements? Answer: Network devices, servers, computing
devices, cloud components, and software that impact cardholder
data security.
◉ Name an example of a system that stores or processes account
data. Answer: Payment terminals or payment gateway/switch
systems.
◉ What are security services systems in the context of PCI DSS?
Answer: Systems like authentication servers, access control servers,
and SIEM systems that provide security for cardholder data.
◉ What is the role of segmentation in PCI DSS? Answer:
Segmentation helps reduce the scope and cost of PCI DSS
assessments and minimizes risk to payment account data.
◉ What must an entity do for annual PCI DSS scope confirmation?
Answer: Accurately determine and document the scope of the
review, identifying all locations and flows of account data.
◉ What is the minimum requirement for documentation during PCI
DSS scope confirmation? Answer: Entities must retain
documentation to show how PCI DSS scope was determined for
assessor review.
, ◉ What happens if there is inadequate segmentation in a network?
Answer: The entire network may be in scope for the PCI DSS
assessment.
◉ What technologies can be used to achieve segmentation? Answer:
Internal network security controls, routers with strong access
control lists, and other access-restricting technologies.
◉ What is the purpose of PCI DSS Requirement 12.5.2? Answer: To
ensure entities accurately define and document the scope of their
PCI DSS assessment.
◉ What is the consequence of not developing bespoke software
according to PCI DSS standards? Answer: Requirement 6 of PCI DSS
fully applies, and entities are responsible for ensuring compliance.
◉ What types of devices are considered end-user devices under PCI
DSS? Answer: Computers, laptops, workstations, tablets, and mobile
devices.
◉ What is the significance of cloud infrastructure in PCI DSS?
Answer: Cloud components, both external and on-premises, are
included in the scope of PCI DSS requirements.
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is recommended for entities that develop their own
software? Answer: Refer to PCI SSC's software security standards
and consider the requirements as best practices.
◉ What is the purpose of the Secure Software Lifecycle (Secure SLC)
Standard? Answer: It defines security requirements for software
vendors to integrate secure software development practices
throughout the software lifecycle.
◉ What must an entity's PCI DSS assessment include regarding
software? Answer: Verification that the software is properly
configured and securely implemented to support applicable PCI DSS
requirements.
◉ What is the consequence of customizing PCI-listed payment
software? Answer: A more in-depth review will be required during
the PCI DSS assessment as it may no longer represent the originally
validated version.
◉ What does PCI DSS stand for? Answer: Payment Card Industry
Data Security Standard
,◉ Who must comply with PCI DSS? Answer: Payment software
vendors that store, process, or transmit account data, or have access
to customers' account data.
◉ What types of software vendors are included under PCI DSS
applicability? Answer: Payment service providers, cloud service
providers offering payment terminals, SaaS, and e-commerce in the
cloud.
◉ What is the significance of bespoke and custom software in PCI
DSS? Answer: All bespoke and custom software that stores,
processes, or transmits account data is in scope for PCI DSS
assessment.
◉ What standards support compliance with PCI DSS Requirement 6
for bespoke software? Answer: Software Security Framework
standards such as the Secure Software Standard or the Secure SLC
standard.
◉ What is the cardholder data environment (CDE)? Answer: The
CDE includes system components, people, and processes that store,
process, or transmit cardholder data and/or sensitive authentication
data.
,◉ What types of system components are included in PCI DSS
requirements? Answer: Network devices, servers, computing
devices, cloud components, and software that impact cardholder
data security.
◉ Name an example of a system that stores or processes account
data. Answer: Payment terminals or payment gateway/switch
systems.
◉ What are security services systems in the context of PCI DSS?
Answer: Systems like authentication servers, access control servers,
and SIEM systems that provide security for cardholder data.
◉ What is the role of segmentation in PCI DSS? Answer:
Segmentation helps reduce the scope and cost of PCI DSS
assessments and minimizes risk to payment account data.
◉ What must an entity do for annual PCI DSS scope confirmation?
Answer: Accurately determine and document the scope of the
review, identifying all locations and flows of account data.
◉ What is the minimum requirement for documentation during PCI
DSS scope confirmation? Answer: Entities must retain
documentation to show how PCI DSS scope was determined for
assessor review.
, ◉ What happens if there is inadequate segmentation in a network?
Answer: The entire network may be in scope for the PCI DSS
assessment.
◉ What technologies can be used to achieve segmentation? Answer:
Internal network security controls, routers with strong access
control lists, and other access-restricting technologies.
◉ What is the purpose of PCI DSS Requirement 12.5.2? Answer: To
ensure entities accurately define and document the scope of their
PCI DSS assessment.
◉ What is the consequence of not developing bespoke software
according to PCI DSS standards? Answer: Requirement 6 of PCI DSS
fully applies, and entities are responsible for ensuring compliance.
◉ What types of devices are considered end-user devices under PCI
DSS? Answer: Computers, laptops, workstations, tablets, and mobile
devices.
◉ What is the significance of cloud infrastructure in PCI DSS?
Answer: Cloud components, both external and on-premises, are
included in the scope of PCI DSS requirements.
