Can the Corporate LAN connect with the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE)?

The correct answer is that the Corporate LAN should not connect with the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE). This refusal is a fundamental principle of maintaining the security and integrity of cardholder data. The PCI DSS standards are designed to mitigate the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive payment information.

Separating the CDE from the Corporate LAN is crucial because the Corporate LAN typically includes various systems and users that may not adhere to the same stringent security controls required to protect payment card information. Allowing direct access between these two environments creates potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Furthermore, the PCI DSS requires the implementation of strong security measures around cardholder data, making it essential to isolate the CDE to limit exposure and protect sensitive data from unnecessary access and potential threats originating from less secure network segments, like the Corporate LAN. This ensures that the environment containing payment card data is closely monitored and secured, ultimately supporting compliance with the PCI DSS framework.