What is a primary focus of the PCI PTS standard?

The primary focus of the PCI PTS (Payment Terminal Security) standard is the protection of sensitive data at cardholder-interface devices. This standard sets security requirements specifically for devices that directly interact with cardholders, such as point-of-sale terminals and ATMs. It emphasizes securing the hardware and software of these devices to ensure that cardholder data, including PINs and card numbers, are protected from theft and unauthorized access.

PCI PTS addresses vulnerabilities that can arise at the device level, such as physical tampering, malware installation, and data breaches. By focusing on the security of cardholder-interface devices, the standard aims to mitigate the risks associated with these points of interaction, ensuring that sensitive card data is managed securely throughout its lifecycle.

While secure encryption of online transactions, management of transaction records for compliance, and last-mile encryption of data during transit are all important aspects of payment security, they fall under different PCI standards or guidelines. PCI PTS is specifically dedicated to the devices that accept payment cards directly, which is why it is the correct choice in this context.