SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
A security administrator is implementing a data loss prevention strategy for a company that handles credit card data. The administrator must ensure the organization meets PCI DSS requirements for protecting stored cardholder data. Which TWO practices should the administrator implement? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is selecting data retention or transmission controls when the scenario specifically asks about protecting stored 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
✓
Encrypt cardholder data with a strong algorithm and manage cryptographic keys using documented key management procedures.
PCI DSS requires that stored cardholder data be protected through rendering the primary account number unreadable and through strong cryptography with proper key management. These two practices reduce the likelihood and impact of unauthorized disclosure. Retaining full track data, keeping data indefinitely, or relying on proprietary encryption all violate PCI DSS requirements or accepted security practice for cardholder data protection.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Encrypt cardholder data with a strong algorithm and manage cryptographic keys using documented key management procedures.
Why this is correct
PCI DSS requires strong cryptography and secure key management for stored cardholder data. Keys must be protected against disclosure and misuse, with documented processes for generation, distribution, storage, rotation, and destruction. Encryption alone without proper key management is ineffective, so implementing both encryption and formal key management procedures is a required practice for protecting stored cardholder data.
- ✗
Transmit cardholder data over public networks using a proprietary encryption scheme that is not reviewed by independent experts.
Why it's wrong here
PCI DSS requires strong cryptography and secure protocols for transmitting cardholder data across open, public networks. Proprietary, unreviewed encryption schemes lack independent validation and may contain weaknesses that expose data in transit. Using non-standard cryptography does not satisfy the requirement for industry-accepted strong encryption, so this practice is inappropriate for protecting cardholder data during transmission.
- ✗
Retain all cardholder data indefinitely to support future fraud investigations.
Why it's wrong here
PCI DSS requires limiting data retention to what is needed for legal, regulatory, and business requirements, with a defined retention and disposal policy. Keeping cardholder data indefinitely increases the attack surface and the scope of a potential breach. Indefinite retention contradicts the data minimization principle and would fail an assessment, so it is not an appropriate practice for protecting stored cardholder data.
- ✓
Render the primary account number unreadable anywhere it is stored using strong cryptography.
Why this is correct
PCI DSS requires that the primary account number be rendered unreadable wherever it is stored through methods such as one-way hashing, truncation, tokenization, or strong encryption. This reduces the impact of a data breach because stolen values cannot be easily reconstructed. Implementing this control directly satisfies a core requirement for protecting stored cardholder data and is a fundamental element of the organization's data loss prevention strategy.
- ✗
Store the full magnetic stripe data in a central repository for backup and reconciliation purposes.
Why it's wrong here
PCI DSS explicitly prohibits storing sensitive authentication data, including full magnetic stripe data and card verification values, after authorization even if encrypted. Retaining this data creates severe risk and violates a mandatory requirement. A central repository of full track data would fail a PCI DSS assessment and increase the impact of any compromise, making this an incorrect practice for the stated objective.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.