System components within a PCI DSS framework include which of the following?

The correct choice encompasses a broad range of system components that are crucial for maintaining compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The PCI DSS framework is designed to secure cardholder data and encompasses not only the protection of the data itself but also how it is processed and transmitted across various systems.

By including network devices, servers, computing devices, and applications, this choice reflects the comprehensive nature of the compliance requirements. Network devices, such as firewalls and routers, facilitate secure communications, while servers and computing devices are critical for data processing and storage. Applications also play a vital role because they often handle payment data and transactions.

In contrast, the other options are too restrictive or narrow in their focus. For instance, limiting the components to only servers and routers ignores the other essential devices and applications involved in PCI DSS compliance. The mention of cloud services and endpoint devices excludes critical in-house devices and applications necessary for handling payment data. Finally, focusing solely on data storage and retrieval systems neglects the necessity of secure transmission and processing components.

Thus, the overarching requirement to protect cardholder information necessitates a holistic approach, making the selection that includes a variety of system components the most appropriate in the context of PCI DSS.