PCI SSC Assessor_New_V4 - Assessor_New_V4 Exam

According to the glossary, bespoke and custom software describes software developed by an entity for its own use, which means it should not be shared with other entities or sold or transferred without proper authorization. This is one of the requirements for ensuring that bespoke and custom software meets all the security standards and controls defined in Appendix E of the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1.

PCI DSS Requirement 3.6.4 states that entities must retire or replace keys when the keys have reached the end of their cryptoperiod, which is the time span during which a specific key can be used for cryptographic operations1. The retired key must not be used for encryption operations, as it may have been compromised or weakened by cryptanalysis, and may not provide adequate protection for the data. The retired key may still be used for decryption operations, if needed, to access historical data that was encrypted under the retired key2. Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

The other options are not true regarding the cryptographic key retirement and replacement. Option B is not true because PCI DSS does not specify a retention period for the cryptographic key components from the retired key, although it requires entities to securely delete cryptographic material when it is no longer needed for business or legal reasons1. Option C is not true because PCI DSS does not require a new key custodian tobe assigned, although it requires entities to define and document the roles, responsibilities, and accountability of all key custodians1. Option D is not true because PCI DSS does not require all data encrypted under the retired key to be securely destroyed, although it requires entities to render cardholder data unreadable when it is no longer needed for business or legal reasons1. References:

PCI DSS v3.2.1

Cryptographic Key Blocks - PCI Security Standards Council

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, quarterly means occurring at some point in each quarter of a year, not at least once every 95 or 97 days. This is one of the requirements for ensuring that PCI DSS assessments are conducted on a regular basis.

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, a user password and a PIN-activated smart card is an example of multi-factor authentication. This is one of the requirements for preventing unauthorized access to cardholder data using digital certificates.

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

critical systems must have correct and consistent time, which means they should use a reliable time source and synchronize their clocks with other systems. This is one of the requirements for ensuring that critical systems have accurate time.

According to requirement 1, network security controls are intended to control network traffic between two or more logical or physical network segments, which means they should prevent unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure of cardholder data or transactions over the network. This is one of the requirements for ensuring that network security controls are implemented and maintained in accordance with PCI DSS.

The key-encrypting key (KEK) is used to protect the data-encrypting key (DEK) from unauthorized access or disclosure. The KEK should have a strength that is equal to or greater than the DEK, to prevent a weaker link in the encryption chain. According to the PCI Card Production Logical Security Requirements, section 4.1.1, “The key-encrypting key (KEK) must be at least as strong as the data-encrypting key (DEK) it protects.” Furthermore, section 4.1.2 states, “The KEK must be generated using a secure random number generator (RNG) that meets the requirements of NIST SP 800-90A or equivalent.” AES 128 is a symmetric encryption algorithm that uses a 128-bit key and meets the NIST standards. Therefore, it would be an appropriate strength for the KEK used to protect an AES 128-bit DEK. The other options are either weaker or asymmetric encryption algorithms, which are not suitable for the KEK. References: PCI Card Production Logical Security Requirements, [NIST SP 800-90A]

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.