What does "secure coding" refer to in PCI DSS?

Secure coding refers to practices that ensure applications are built securely to prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. This concept is crucial within the PCI DSS framework because the protection of cardholder data relies heavily on the security of the applications handling that data.

When developers implement secure coding practices, they follow guidelines and techniques aimed at mitigating risks and preventing common security issues, such as buffer overflows, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting. The goal is to create software that is resilient to attacks and maintains the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information.

Understanding this concept is vital for compliance with PCI DSS, as it encompasses the development phase of applications that interact with payment card data, ensuring that security considerations are integrated from the outset rather than being an afterthought. This proactive approach helps organizations safeguard their systems against potential breaches, thus protecting cardholder data and maintaining trust with customers.

The other options do not align with the true meaning of secure coding; instead, they address different aspects unrelated to the fundamental goals of application security in the context of PCI DSS.