What does PCI DSS stand for?

PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This framework is essential for ensuring that all companies that accept, process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. The standard was created to protect card information from data breaches and fraud, promoting the safety and integrity of payment card transactions. Compliance with PCI DSS is mandatory for organizations that interact with credit card data, helping to establish a baseline of security measures necessary to safeguard sensitive financial information.

The other options do not correspond to established standards or concepts in data security or payment processing. They either misrepresent the components necessary for protecting payment information or suggest unrelated security frameworks. Therefore, the only accurate definition that aligns with industry standards and practices is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.