What does the acronym AOC stand for in the PCI DSS context?

In the context of PCI DSS, the acronym AOC stands for Attestation of Compliance. This document is crucial for organizations that need to demonstrate their compliance with the PCI DSS requirements after completing a self-assessment or a formal assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA). The AOC serves as a formal declaration indicating that the entity has met the required compliance measures as outlined in the PCI DSS framework.

The Attestation of Compliance provides detailed information about the organization, including the type of assessment completed, the validation requirements applicable to the organization, and a statement of compliance. This is an important tool for organizations to prove their commitment to protecting cardholder data and maintaining security standards, making it essential for regulatory and industry stakeholders.

Understanding the significance of the Attestation of Compliance highlights the importance of maintaining PCI DSS standards and ensuring that payment card data is processed securely. Other terms related to compliance assessments may exist, but they do not pertain directly to the specific requirements and documentation recognized within the PCI DSS framework.