What is the overall aim of the PCI DSS?

The overall aim of the PCI DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, is to secure payment card transaction data. This standard was developed to protect cardholder data and ensure secure transactions by establishing a comprehensive framework of security requirements for organizations that accept, process, or store credit card information.

By focusing on the security of payment card transaction data, PCI DSS aims to mitigate the risks of data breaches and fraud associated with cardholder information. This includes implementing measures such as encryption, access control, data protection policies, and regular security testing. Adhering to these standards not only helps organizations safeguard sensitive payment information but also enhances consumer confidence in using their payment cards.

The other options, while relevant to the broader context of payment processing, do not reflect the primary goal of the PCI DSS. While increasing the number of credit card users, enhancing the efficiency of payments, or reducing costs for payment processors may be beneficial outcomes in the payment ecosystem, the core mission remains the protection and secure handling of cardholder data to prevent fraud and data breaches.