What should assessors consider when evaluating cardholder data security?

When evaluating cardholder data security, it is essential to consider both stored and transmitted cardholder data because the protection of this data is critical to preventing data breaches and maintaining compliance with data security standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Stored cardholder data refers to the information that is held on systems, such as databases or payment servers. Protecting this type of data includes implementing strong access controls, encryption, and secure storage solutions. On the other hand, transmitted cardholder data is the information that is sent over networks during online transactions or between payment processors. Securing this data during transmission usually involves the use of encryption protocols, such as TLS (Transport Layer Security), to safeguard it from eavesdropping or interception by malicious actors.

By assessing both aspects—stored and transmitted data—assessors can gain a comprehensive understanding of the security posture of an organization as it relates to cardholder information. This dual focus helps identify vulnerabilities that may exist in either area and ensures that appropriate security measures are applied to protect cardholder data throughout its entire lifecycle.