What does PCI DSS stand for?

The correct answer is "Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard." This term refers to a set of security standards established to ensure that all companies processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information maintain a secure environment. The primary objective of PCI DSS is to protect cardholder data from theft and to enhance the overall security of payment processes.

Organizations that handle card payments must comply with these standards to minimize the risk of data breaches. Compliance helps safeguard sensitive financial information, benefits businesses by building consumer trust, and reduces the risk of costly penalties associated with non-compliance.

The other options do not accurately represent the full name or purpose of the standards, and therefore do not correctly define what PCI DSS stands for.