PCI ISA EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. What is the primary purpose of PCI ISA?
A. To regulate banking licenses
B. To standardize information security audits
C. To replace PCI DSS requirements
D. To certify payment processors
Answer: B
PCI ISA focuses on standardizing and validating information security
audit practices related to PCI DSS.
2. PCI ISA professionals primarily support which standard?
A. ISO 27001
B. HIPAA
C. PCI DSS
D. SOX
Answer: C
PCI ISA is specifically aligned with the Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard.
3. Who manages the PCI ISA program?
A. ISO
B. NIST
, C. PCI SSC
D. Federal Reserve
Answer: C
The PCI Security Standards Council administers the PCI ISA program.
4. The main role of a PCI ISA is to:
A. Perform penetration testing
B. Validate compliance internally
C. Issue compliance certificates
D. Replace external QSAs
Answer: B
PCI ISAs assist organizations with internal PCI DSS validation and
readiness.
5. PCI ISA certification is intended for:
A. Individual professionals
B. Payment brands only
C. Merchants only
D. Hardware vendors
Answer: A
PCI ISA certification applies to individuals, not organizations.
6. Which environment is PCI ISA most applicable to?
A. Healthcare data centers
B. Government networks
C. Cardholder data environments
D. Educational institutions
Answer: C
PCI ISA applies to environments handling cardholder data.
, 7. PCI ISA does NOT replace which role?
A. Internal auditor
B. Compliance officer
C. QSA
D. Risk manager
Answer: C
PCI ISAs do not replace Qualified Security Assessors.
8. Which document defines PCI DSS requirements?
A. PCI ISA Guide
B. PCI DSS Standard
C. ISO Framework
D. SOC Report
Answer: B
The PCI DSS Standard defines all PCI security requirements.
9. PCI ISA professionals are expected to understand:
A. Network routing only
B. Card brand rules only
C. PCI DSS requirements in depth
D. Legal compliance exclusively
Answer: C
Deep understanding of PCI DSS is essential for PCI ISAs.
10. PCI ISA certification is valid for how long?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. 5 years
, Answer: C
PCI ISA certification typically requires renewal every two years.
11. Which skill is critical for a PCI ISA?
A. Software development
B. Risk assessment
C. Graphic design
D. Marketing
Answer: B
Risk assessment is a core competency for PCI ISAs.
12. PCI ISA training emphasizes:
A. Sales strategies
B. Audit consistency
C. Hardware installation
D. Financial accounting
Answer: B
Consistency in audit and assessment interpretation is emphasized.
13. PCI ISA professionals often work with:
A. HR departments
B. IT and security teams
C. Legal courts
D. Advertising firms
Answer: B
They collaborate closely with IT and security teams.
14. Which data is most protected under PCI DSS?
A. Employee records
B. Intellectual property
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of PCI ISA?
A. To regulate banking licenses
B. To standardize information security audits
C. To replace PCI DSS requirements
D. To certify payment processors
Answer: B
PCI ISA focuses on standardizing and validating information security
audit practices related to PCI DSS.
2. PCI ISA professionals primarily support which standard?
A. ISO 27001
B. HIPAA
C. PCI DSS
D. SOX
Answer: C
PCI ISA is specifically aligned with the Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard.
3. Who manages the PCI ISA program?
A. ISO
B. NIST
, C. PCI SSC
D. Federal Reserve
Answer: C
The PCI Security Standards Council administers the PCI ISA program.
4. The main role of a PCI ISA is to:
A. Perform penetration testing
B. Validate compliance internally
C. Issue compliance certificates
D. Replace external QSAs
Answer: B
PCI ISAs assist organizations with internal PCI DSS validation and
readiness.
5. PCI ISA certification is intended for:
A. Individual professionals
B. Payment brands only
C. Merchants only
D. Hardware vendors
Answer: A
PCI ISA certification applies to individuals, not organizations.
6. Which environment is PCI ISA most applicable to?
A. Healthcare data centers
B. Government networks
C. Cardholder data environments
D. Educational institutions
Answer: C
PCI ISA applies to environments handling cardholder data.
, 7. PCI ISA does NOT replace which role?
A. Internal auditor
B. Compliance officer
C. QSA
D. Risk manager
Answer: C
PCI ISAs do not replace Qualified Security Assessors.
8. Which document defines PCI DSS requirements?
A. PCI ISA Guide
B. PCI DSS Standard
C. ISO Framework
D. SOC Report
Answer: B
The PCI DSS Standard defines all PCI security requirements.
9. PCI ISA professionals are expected to understand:
A. Network routing only
B. Card brand rules only
C. PCI DSS requirements in depth
D. Legal compliance exclusively
Answer: C
Deep understanding of PCI DSS is essential for PCI ISAs.
10. PCI ISA certification is valid for how long?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. 5 years
, Answer: C
PCI ISA certification typically requires renewal every two years.
11. Which skill is critical for a PCI ISA?
A. Software development
B. Risk assessment
C. Graphic design
D. Marketing
Answer: B
Risk assessment is a core competency for PCI ISAs.
12. PCI ISA training emphasizes:
A. Sales strategies
B. Audit consistency
C. Hardware installation
D. Financial accounting
Answer: B
Consistency in audit and assessment interpretation is emphasized.
13. PCI ISA professionals often work with:
A. HR departments
B. IT and security teams
C. Legal courts
D. Advertising firms
Answer: B
They collaborate closely with IT and security teams.
14. Which data is most protected under PCI DSS?
A. Employee records
B. Intellectual property
