The answer is encrypting cardholder data at rest and implementing a vulnerability management program. These two requirements are mandatory for all merchants under PCI DSS because Requirement 3 mandates strong cryptography to protect stored account data, ensuring that even if a database is breached, the cardholder information remains unreadable. Requirement 6, in turn, demands a formal vulnerability management program to identify, prioritize, and remediate security weaknesses in systems and software, preventing attackers from exploiting known flaws. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between mandatory controls and optional or prohibited practices—a common trap is confusing tokenization (which is optional) with encryption (which is required), or assuming network segmentation is a universal mandate when it is only recommended. Remember the mnemonic “E.V.” for Every Merchant: Encryption at rest and Vulnerability management are the two non-negotiable pillars.
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 TWO are required by PCI DSS for all merchants?
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
Options A and B are correct. PCI DSS requires encryption of cardholder data at rest (requirement 3) and a vulnerability management program (requirement 6). Tokenization is optional, CVV storage is prohibited, and network segmentation is a recommended control but not a requirement for all merchants.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Implement network segmentation
Why it's wrong here
Segmentation is recommended to reduce scope but not a requirement for all merchants.
✓
Maintain a vulnerability management program
Why this is correct
PCI DSS requirement 6 requires a vulnerability management program.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Store CVV codes
Why it's wrong here
PCI DSS prohibits storing CVV codes after authorization.
✓
Encrypt cardholder data at rest
Why this is correct
PCI DSS requirement 3 mandates encryption of stored cardholder data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use only tokenization
Why it's wrong here
Tokenization is not required; encryption is an alternative.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CAS-004 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CAS-004 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Governance, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Governance, Risk and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Maintain a vulnerability management program — Options A and B are correct. PCI DSS requires encryption of cardholder data at rest (requirement 3) and a vulnerability management program (requirement 6). Tokenization is optional, CVV storage is prohibited, and network segmentation is a recommended control but not a requirement for all merchants.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Identify which CAS-004 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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