Which statement about PA-DSS usage is correct?

• A. It guarantees PCI DSS compliance
• B. It reduces PCI DSS scope
• C. It is unrelated to PCI DSS
• D. It does not guarantee PCI DSS compliance

Answer: (D)

PA-DSS validation focuses on the security of the payment application itself, not the entire PCI DSS environment. A PA-DSS validated application is designed to securely process, store, and transmit card data within the application, and it can help you meet certain PCI DSS controls related to how the app handles data. But this validation does not guarantee that the whole PCI DSS program of your organization is compliant, because PCI DSS scope includes all systems, networks, processes, and other software that touch cardholder data. Even with a PA-DSS validated application, other components and configurations must still meet PCI DSS requirements. So, the statement that PA-DSS usage does not guarantee PCI DSS compliance is the best answer.