Assessor_New_V4 - Assessor_New_V4

PCI DSS Requirement 3.6.4 states that entities must retire or replace keys when the keys have reached the end of their cryptoperiod, which is the time span during which a specific key can be used for cryptographic operations1. The retired key must not be used for encryption operations, as it may have been compromised or weakened by cryptanalysis, and may not provide adequate protection for the data. The retired key may still be used for decryption operations, if needed, to access historical data that was encrypted under the retired key2. Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

The other options are not true regarding the cryptographic key retirement and replacement. Option B is not true because PCI DSS does not specify a retention period for the cryptographic key components from the retired key, although it requires entities to securely delete cryptographic material when it is no longer needed for business or legal reasons1. Option C is not true because PCI DSS does not require a new key custodian tobe assigned, although it requires entities to define and document the roles, responsibilities, and accountability of all key custodians1. Option D is not true because PCI DSS does not require all data encrypted under the retired key to be securely destroyed, although it requires entities to render cardholder data unreadable when it is no longer needed for business or legal reasons1. References:

• PCI DSS v3.2.1
• Cryptographic Key Blocks - PCI Security Standards Council

According to the PCI DSS v3.2.1 Quick Reference Guide1, the security protocol accepts only trusted keys. This is one of the requirements for ensuring secure encryption and authentication.

The Secure SLC standard is one of the two standards that are part of the PCI Software Security Framework (SSF), which provides security requirements and assessment procedures for software vendors to integrate into their software development lifecycles and to validate that secure lifecycle management practices are in place12. The Secure SLC standard is designed to offer a more flexible approach to how the security and integrity of payment software is tested, and to address the evolving threat landscape and changes in software development practices3.

The PCI DSS Requirement 6 states that entities must develop and maintain secure systems and applications, and it includes several sub-requirements that cover variousaspects of software security, such as change control, secure coding, vulnerability management, and patching4. By using custom software that is compliant with the Secure SLC standard, an entity may be able to meet some or all of these sub-requirements, as the Secure SLC standard covers similar topics and ensures that the software is developed and maintained in a secure manner throughout its entire lifecycle1. However, this does not automatically make the entity PCI DSS compliant, as there are other requirements and controls that the entity must implement and validate, such as network security, access control, monitoring, and incident response4. Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

The other options are not true regarding the impact of using custom software that is compliant with the Secure SLC standard on the PCI DSS assessment. Option A is not true because, as explained above, the entity still has to comply with other PCI DSS requirements and controls that are not covered by the Secure SLC standard. Option C is not true because there is a positive impact to the entity, as it may help the entity to meet several requirements in Requirement 6 and to demonstrate that the custom software is secure and reliable. Option D is not true because the custom software cannot be excluded from the PCI DSS assessment, as it is part of the cardholder data environment (CDE) and it may store, process, or transmit cardholder data or sensitive authentication data. The entity must ensure that the custom software meets the PCI DSS requirements and controls that are applicable to it, and that the assessor validates its compliance4. References:

• Software Security Framework Secure Software Life Cycle (Secure SLC) Standard
• PCI Security Standards Council Publishes Version 1.1 of Secure Software Lifecycle (SLC) Standard and Program
• PCI Security Standards Council Publishes Version 1.1 of Secure Software Standard and Program
• PCI DSS v3.2.1