- A
Maintain a vulnerability management program.
Requirements 6 and 11 require a vulnerability management program to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
- B
Store cardholder data after authorization.
Why wrong: Storage should be minimized; data may only be stored if authorized and with protection.
- C
Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know.
Requirement 7 mandates restricting access to cardholder data on a need-to-know basis.
- D
Encrypt transmitted cardholder data over open networks.
Requirement 4 mandates encryption of cardholder data during transmission.
- E
Implement multifactor authentication for all physical access to data centers.
Why wrong: Physical access control is required, but MFA for physical access is not specifically mandated by PCI DSS.
Quick Answer
The answer is encrypting transmitted cardholder data over open networks, along with restricting access to cardholder data by business need-to-know and implementing a vulnerability management program. These three requirements directly map to PCI DSS mandates: Requirement 4 for encryption of transmissions, Requirement 7 for access control, and Requirements 6 and 11 for regularly updating security patches and scanning for vulnerabilities. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between mandatory PCI DSS controls and common security misconceptions—a frequent trap is confusing multi-factor authentication for physical access (which is not a PCI DSS requirement) with logical access controls, or assuming data storage after authorization is permitted when it is actually limited. To remember the core triad, think of the mnemonic "EAV": Encrypt, Access, Vulnerabilities.
CAS-004 Governance, Risk and Compliance Practice Question
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of governance, risk and compliance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which THREE of the following are required for PCI DSS compliance regarding cardholder data?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Maintain a vulnerability management program.
PCI DSS requires encryption of transmissions (Req 4), access restriction (Req 7), and vulnerability management (Req 6/11). MFA for physical access is not required; data storage after authorization is limited.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Maintain a vulnerability management program.
Why this is correct
Requirements 6 and 11 require a vulnerability management program to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Store cardholder data after authorization.
Why it's wrong here
Storage should be minimized; data may only be stored if authorized and with protection.
- ✓
Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know.
Why this is correct
Requirement 7 mandates restricting access to cardholder data on a need-to-know basis.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Encrypt transmitted cardholder data over open networks.
Why this is correct
Requirement 4 mandates encryption of cardholder data during transmission.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Implement multifactor authentication for all physical access to data centers.
Why it's wrong here
Physical access control is required, but MFA for physical access is not specifically mandated by PCI DSS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CAS-004 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Governance, Risk and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CAS-004 question test?
Governance, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Governance, Risk and Compliance — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Maintain a vulnerability management program. — PCI DSS requires encryption of transmissions (Req 4), access restriction (Req 7), and vulnerability management (Req 6/11). MFA for physical access is not required; data storage after authorization is limited.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related CAS-004 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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