- A
A physical room where payment cards are stored
Why wrong: The CDE includes logical and physical elements.
- B
Any system that connects to the internet
Why wrong: Not all internet-connected systems are part of the CDE.
- C
Systems that store, process, or transmit cardholder data
This is the PCI DSS definition of CDE.
- D
A network segment that contains only point-of-sale devices
Why wrong: The CDE is broader, including any system that handles cardholder data.
Question 811 of 1,000
CISSP Security and Risk Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security and risk management. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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.
Under the PCI DSS, which of the following best describes a 'cardholder data environment' (CDE)?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Systems that store, process, or transmit cardholder data
The CDE includes people, processes, and technologies that store, process, or transmit cardholder data or sensitive authentication data. Segmentation is used to isolate the CDE from other networks.
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.
- ✗
A physical room where payment cards are stored
Why it's wrong here
The CDE includes logical and physical elements.
- ✗
Any system that connects to the internet
Why it's wrong here
Not all internet-connected systems are part of the CDE.
- ✓
Systems that store, process, or transmit cardholder data
Why this is correct
This is the PCI DSS definition of CDE.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A network segment that contains only point-of-sale devices
Why it's wrong here
The CDE is broader, including any system that handles cardholder data.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CISSP 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.
- →
Security and Risk Management — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security and Risk Management practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CISSP questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CISSP practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CISSP practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Security and Risk Management practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to Security and Risk Management.
Asset Security practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to Asset Security.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Architecture and Engineering practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to Security Architecture and Engineering.
Communication and Network Security practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to Communication and Network Security.
Security Assessment and Testing practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to Security Assessment and Testing.
Software Development Security practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to Software Development Security.
Identity and Access Management practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to Identity and Access Management.
CISSP fundamentals practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to CISSP fundamentals.
CISSP scenario practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to CISSP scenario.
CISSP troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CISSP questions linked to CISSP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CISSP practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Security and Risk Management — This question tests Security and Risk Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Systems that store, process, or transmit cardholder data — The CDE includes people, processes, and technologies that store, process, or transmit cardholder data or sensitive authentication data. Segmentation is used to isolate the CDE from other networks.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which CISSP 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISSP exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.