How often should a PCI DSS assessment be conducted?

The correct choice reflects the requirement established by the PCI Data Security Standards, which mandates that a formal PCI DSS assessment be performed at least annually for organizations that handle or process payment card information. This annual assessment ensures that organizations are continually compliant with the standards and that they maintain the necessary security measures to protect cardholder data.

Conducting an assessment annually provides a systematic approach to evaluating and improving security posture. It allows organizations to identify and rectify any vulnerabilities in their systems, as well as to adapt to any changes in technology or business processes that may increase security risks. Additionally, an annual assessment is often sufficient for organizations that have stable systems and practices, allowing them to focus their resources effectively while still fulfilling compliance requirements.

While the need for more frequent assessments, such as quarterly or monthly, can arise in response to significant changes in the environment, processing methods, or after data breaches, under normal circumstances, an annual assessment is deemed adequate for maintaining PCI compliance.