What is one of the primary goals of the PCI DSS framework?

One of the primary goals of the PCI DSS framework is to protect cardholder data from theft and fraud. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was specifically developed to safeguard sensitive payment information, which, if compromised, can lead to financial losses for consumers and businesses alike. By establishing a comprehensive set of security requirements, PCI DSS aims to ensure that organizations that handle credit card transactions maintain a secure environment for storing, processing, and transmitting cardholder data.

The framework includes various directives, such as implementing robust access control measures, regular monitoring and testing of networks, and encryption of cardholder data. These measures are essential in building a secure infrastructure that minimizes the risk of data breaches and protects consumer trust in financial transactions.

The other options, while relevant to business operations, do not align with the primary security objective of PCI DSS. Improving customer service standards, streamlining payment processing systems, and increasing sales revenue are important aspects of business strategy, but they do not directly address the critical issue of securing cardholder data, which is the primary focus of the PCI DSS framework.