[2026] Pass PCI SSC QSA_New_V4 Exam Updated 71 Questions [Q26-Q42]

[2026] Pass PCI SSC QSA_New_V4 Exam Updated 71 Questions [Q26-Q42]

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[2026] Pass PCI SSC QSA_New_V4 Exam Updated 71 Questions

Get 2026 Updated Free PCI SSC QSA_New_V4 Exam Questions and Answer

PCI SSC QSA_New_V4 Exam Syllabus Topics:

Topic	Details
Topic 1	Real-World Case Studies: This section of the exam measures the skills of Cybersecurity Consultants and involves analyzing real-world breaches, compliance failures, and best practices in PCI DSS implementation. Candidates must review case studies to understand practical applications of security standards and identify lessons learned. One key skill evaluated is applying PCI DSS principles to prevent security breaches.
Topic 2	PCI DSS Testing Procedures: This section of the exam measures the skills of PCI Compliance Auditors and covers the testing procedures required to assess compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Candidates must understand how to evaluate security controls, identify vulnerabilities, and ensure that organizations meet compliance requirements. One key skill evaluated is assessing security measures against PCI DSS standards.
Topic 3	Payment Brand Specific Requirements: This section of the exam measures the skills of Payment Security Specialists and focuses on the unique security and compliance requirements set by different payment brands, such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Candidates must be familiar with the specific mandates and expectations of each brand when handling cardholder data. One skill assessed is identifying brand-specific compliance variations.
Topic 4	PCI Reporting Requirements: This section of the exam measures the skills of Risk Management Professionals and covers the reporting obligations associated with PCI DSS compliance. Candidates must be able to prepare and submit necessary documentation, such as Reports on Compliance (ROCs) and Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs). One critical skill assessed is compiling and submitting accurate PCI compliance reports.
Topic 5	PCI Validation Requirements: This section of the exam measures the skills of Compliance Analysts and evaluates the processes involved in validating PCI DSS compliance. Candidates must understand the different levels of merchant and service provider validation, including self-assessment questionnaires and external audits. One essential skill tested is determining the appropriate validation method based on business type.

QUESTION 26
What must be included in an organization’s procedures for managing visitors?

Visitors are escorted at all times within areas where cardholder data is processed or maintained.

Visitor badges are identical to badges used by onsite personnel.

Visitor log includes visitor name, address, and contact phone number.

Visitors retain their identification (for example, a visitor badge) for 30 days after completion of the visit.

QUESTION 27
Where an entity under assessment is using the customized approach, which of the following steps is the responsibility of the assessor?

Monitor the control.

Derive testing procedures and document them in Appendix E of the ROC.

Document and maintain evidence about each customized control as defined in Appendix E of PCI DSS.

Perform the targeted risk analysis as per PCI DSS requirement 12.3.2.

QUESTION 28
Could an entity use both the Customized Approach and the Defined Approach to meet the same requirement?

No, because a single approach must be selected.

No, because only compensating controls can be used with the Defined Approach.

Yes, if the entity uses no compensating controls.

Yes, if the entity is eligible to use both approaches.

QUESTION 29
At which step in the payment transaction process does the merchant’s bank pay the merchant for the purchase, and the cardholder’s bank bill the cardholder?

Authorization

Clearing

Settlement

Chargeback

QUESTION 30
Viewing of audit log files should be limited to?

Individuals who performed the logged activity.

Individuals with read/write access.

Individuals with administrator privileges.

Individuals with a job-related need.

QUESTION 31
An organization has implemented a change-detection mechanism on their systems. How often must critical file comparisons be performed?

At least weekly

Periodically as defined by the entity

Only after a valid change is installed

At least monthly

QUESTION 32
Which of the following statements is true whenever a cryptographic key is retired and replaced with a new key?

The retired key must not be used for encryption operations.

Cryptographic key components from the retired key must be retained for 3 months before disposal.

A new key custodian must be assigned.

All data encrypted under the retired key must be securely destroyed.

QUESTION 33
What should the assessor verify when testing that cardholder data Is protected whenever It Is sent over open public networks?

The security protocol Is configured to accept all digital certificates.

A proprietary security protocol is used.

The security protocol accepts only trusted keys.

The security protocol accepts connections from systems with lower encryption strength than required by the protocol.

QUESTION 34
Which of the following file types must be monitored by a change-detection mechanism (e.g., a file-integrity monitoring tool)?

Application vendor manuals

Files that regularly change

Security policy and procedure documents

System configuration and parameter files

QUESTION 35
An entity wants to know if the Software Security Framework can be leveraged during their assessment.
Which of the following software types would this apply to?

Any payment software In the CDE.

Only software which runs on PCI PTS devices.

Validated Payment Applications that are listed by PCI SSC and have undergone a PA-DSS assessment.

Software developed by the entity in accordance with the Secure SLC Standard.

QUESTION 36
Which of the following is true regarding compensating controls?

A compensating control worksheet is not required if the acquirer approves the compensating control.

A compensating control is not necessary if all other PCI DSS requirements are in place.

A compensating control must address the risk associated with not adhering to the PCI DSS requirement.

An existing PCI DSS requirement can be used as a compensating control if it is already implemented.

QUESTION 37
What process is required by PCI DSS for protecting card-reading devices at the point-of-sale?

Device identifiers and security labels are periodically replaced.

The serial number of each device is periodically verified with the device manufacturer.

Devices are physically destroyed if there is suspicion of compromise.

Devices are periodically inspected to detect unauthorized card skimmers.

QUESTION 38
What process is required by PCI DSS for protecting card-reading devices at the point-of-sale?

Devices are periodically inspected to detect unauthorized card skimmers.

The serial number of each device is periodically verified with the device manufacturer.

Device identifiers and security labels are periodically replaced.

Devices are physically destroyed if there is suspicion of compromise.

QUESTION 39
An entity accepts e-commerce payment card transactions and stores account data in a database. The database server and the web server are both accessible from the Internet. The database server and the web server are on separate physical servers. What is required for the entity to meet PCI DSS requirements?

The web server and the database server should be installed on the same physical server.

The database server should be relocated so that it is not accessible from untrusted networks.

The web server should be moved into the Internal network.

The database server should be moved to a separate segment from the web server to allow for more concurrent connections.

QUESTION 40
Which of the following statements Is true whenever a cryptographic key Is retired and replaced with a new key?

Anew key custodian must be assigned.

All data encrypted under the retired key must be securely destroyed.

Cryptographic key components from the retired key must be retained for 3 months before disposal.

The retired key must not be used for encryption operations.

QUESTION 41
A network firewall has been configured with the latest vendor security patches. What additional configuration Is needed to harden the firewall?

Remove the default “Firewall Administrator account and create a shared account for firewall administrators to use.

Configure the firewall to permit all traffic until additional rules are defined.

Synchronize the firewall rules with the other firewalls in the environment.

Disable any firewall functions that are not needed in production.

QUESTION 42
PCI DSS Requirement 12.7 requires screening and background checks for which of the following?

All personnel employed by the organization.

Personnel with access to the cardholder data environment.

Visitors with access to the organization’s facilities.

Cashiers with access to one card number at a time.