A secure network should not expose what type of data?

The exposure of cardholder data poses significant risks, particularly in the context of security and compliance regulations such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This type of data includes sensitive information like credit card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes, which, if compromised, can lead to fraud and identity theft. Therefore, a secure network must implement robust security measures to protect cardholder data, ensuring that it is encrypted during transmission and stored securely. The potential for financial loss and legal ramifications for organizations that fail to safeguard this information underscores the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of cardholder data in a secure network environment.

Transactional, operational, and employee data also require protection, but they do not carry the same level of risk or regulatory pressure associated with cardholder data. Thus, the primary focus of a secure network should prioritize preventing the exposure of cardholder data to mitigate these serious threats.