Which statement is true regarding the use of PA-DSS validated applications?

The selection of "PA-DSS validated applications are in-scope for merchant's PCI DSS assessment" is accurate because PA-DSS (Payment Application Data Security Standard) validated applications are specifically designed to facilitate compliance with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). While these applications are necessary to protect cardholder data, being PA-DSS validated does not exempt them from the PCI DSS assessment process. Instead, merchants using these applications must ensure they are compliant with PCI DSS requirements, as they play a crucial role in the overall security posture of the payment processing environment.

This means that even if an application has obtained PA-DSS validation, it must still be assessed within the broader context of the merchant's compliance with PCI DSS. The PCI DSS framework holds that all components involved in processing payment card data, including validated applications, must meet security standards to safeguard sensitive information.

Other choices do not accurately reflect the role of PA-DSS in relation to PCI DSS assessments. The exemption from PCI DSS assessments is not a valid assumption, while the statement regarding e-commerce websites inaccurately limits the scope of PA-DSS validated applications, which can be deployed in various settings. Additionally, the requirement for review every two years does not align with the actual guidelines for PA