Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst Practice Test

Restricting access to the cardholder data environment is a critical requirement according to PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). This is because the cardholder data environment (CDE) encompasses the systems and networks that store, process, or transmit cardholder data. Protecting this sensitive information is paramount to preventing unauthorized access and potential data breaches that can lead to financial loss and jeopardize consumer trust.

By limiting access to the CDE, organizations can implement more stringent security measures, ensuring only authorized personnel have the ability to view or interact with sensitive payment information. This access control is essential in maintaining compliance with PCI DSS, which is designed to protect cardholder data from theft and fraud.

The other options suggest types of access that carry different risks or compliance considerations but do not specifically relate to the core requirements for protecting cardholder data outlined by PCI DSS. For instance, while access to digital devices or emails might need to be managed for security, they do not hold the same level of exposure risk as the CDE. Public access to systems can broaden the attack surface, but it does not directly address the necessity of protecting cardholder data specifically.