What is a key risk factor that PCI DSS aims to mitigate?

The primary goal of PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards) is to protect cardholder data and reduce the risk of data breaches. A data breach can occur through various means, such as unauthorized access to systems, weaknesses in security measures, or vulnerabilities present in payment processing systems. By establishing a set of rigorous security standards and compliance requirements, PCI DSS helps organizations implement protective measures that safeguard sensitive payment information, significantly lowering the likelihood of data breaches.

While identity theft, physical theft of devices, and customer dissatisfaction are important concerns, they are not the central focus of PCI DSS. Identity theft is often a consequence of a data breach rather than a specific threat that PCI DSS directly addresses. Physical theft of devices can be mitigated through different security measures, including physical security policies, but it is also outside the scope of PCI DSS, which concentrates on data security standards. Lastly, customer dissatisfaction may arise from issues related to data breaches but is not a direct risk that PCI DSS specifically targets. Thus, the most relevant risk factor in the context of PCI DSS is the mitigation of data breaches.