What type of media is described as containing cardholder data?

The correct choice identifies all forms of media that encapsulate cardholder data, emphasizing the importance of considering both paper and electronic formats. Cardholder data encompasses sensitive information such as credit card numbers, cardholder names, and expiration dates.

This choice highlights that security measures must apply comprehensively to any medium that holds this information, whether it is in digital formats (like databases, cloud services, or magnetic stripe data) or physical forms (such as printed receipts or invoices). Such an understanding is crucial for organizations to ensure they are compliant with data protection standards and best practices, as they need to protect cardholder data across all potential media.

By acknowledging both electronic and paper formats, this choice promotes a holistic approach to data security, which is essential for reducing the risk of data breaches and maintaining customer trust. Being attentive to all forms of data storage aligns with compliance requirements under standards such as PCI DSS, which mandates safeguarding any medium containing cardholder information.