Which statement best describes the service provider acknowledgment required by PCI DSS Requirement 12.9?

Which statement best describes the service provider acknowledgment required by PCI DSS Requirement 12.9?

• A. The acknowledgment is optional for service providers.
• B. The acknowledgment confirms that the service provider is responsible for the security of cardholder data it handles.
• C. The acknowledgment must include the exact wording of PCI DSS Requirement 12.9.
• D. The acknowledgment is only required for merchants, not service providers.

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is that service providers must acknowledge in writing that they are responsible for the security of cardholder data they handle or can affect. This written acknowledgment creates accountability and formalizes the service provider’s role in protecting cardholder data within the relationship with the customer. The best statement captures this obligation: the acknowledgment confirms that the service provider is responsible for the security of cardholder data it handles. This reflects the purpose of PCI DSS 12.9, which is to ensure service providers cannot sidestep security responsibilities and that there is a clear, documented commitment to protecting cardholder data. It isn’t optional—the requirement exists to formalize responsibility in writing. It also isn’t about reproducing exact wording of PCI DSS in the acknowledgment, but rather about confirming responsibility for security. And it applies to service providers, not only merchants, since third-party relationships can significantly impact cardholder data security.

The main idea being tested is that service providers must acknowledge in writing that they are responsible for the security of cardholder data they handle or can affect. This written acknowledgment creates accountability and formalizes the service provider’s role in protecting cardholder data within the relationship with the customer.

The best statement captures this obligation: the acknowledgment confirms that the service provider is responsible for the security of cardholder data it handles. This reflects the purpose of PCI DSS 12.9, which is to ensure service providers cannot sidestep security responsibilities and that there is a clear, documented commitment to protecting cardholder data.

It isn’t optional—the requirement exists to formalize responsibility in writing. It also isn’t about reproducing exact wording of PCI DSS in the acknowledgment, but rather about confirming responsibility for security. And it applies to service providers, not only merchants, since third-party relationships can significantly impact cardholder data security.