What is the goal of performing quarterly internal vulnerability scans and rescans?

The goal of performing quarterly internal vulnerability scans and rescans is to identify and address "high-risk" vulnerabilities as defined in PCI DSS requirement 6.1. This requirement emphasizes the importance of proactively managing vulnerabilities within a system to reduce the risk of potential exploitation, which could lead to data breaches or other security incidents.

By specifically targeting high-risk vulnerabilities, organizations can prioritize their remediation efforts effectively. This strategic focus ensures that the most critical security gaps are addressed promptly, thus improving the overall security posture of the environment. The rationale behind this is that high-risk vulnerabilities are often the most likely to be exploited by attackers, which can pose significant threats to cardholder data and other sensitive information.

Other choices reflect different scopes of vulnerability management that go beyond the immediate focus of PCI DSS requirement 6.1. While addressing low or medium vulnerabilities, or those with varying CVSS scores, can be important for a comprehensive security strategy, the specific context of PCI compliance highlights the necessity to focus efforts on addressing high-risk vulnerabilities as a priority. This aligns with the overarching goals of the PCI DSS to protect payment card information and maintain the integrity of the payment ecosystem.