What is required in the "Risk Assessment" process of PCI DSS?

In the "Risk Assessment" process of PCI DSS, the key requirement is to identify, quantify, and prioritize risks to cardholder data. This step is essential for organizations because it allows them to understand the vulnerabilities and threats that could potentially compromise the security of cardholder information. By identifying specific risks, organizations can then evaluate their potential impact and prioritize them based on their severity and likelihood of occurrence.

This systematic approach enables companies to allocate resources effectively and implement appropriate measures to mitigate those risks, rather than attempting to eliminate all risks entirely, which is impractical. Risk prioritization ensures that the most critical vulnerabilities are addressed first, enhancing the overall security posture of the organization.

Conducting a survey of employee awareness or implementing a new physical security protocol, while important for security practices, fall outside the specific scope of the risk assessment process itself. The focus of the risk assessment is strictly on evaluating and managing risks associated with cardholder data.