In PCI P2PE, who performs all cryptographic operations?

In PCI P2PE, who performs all cryptographic operations?

• A. Merchant
• B. 3rd party solution provider
• C. Payment Processor
• D. Issuer

Answer: (B)

In PCI P2PE, all cryptographic operations are handled by the third-party solution provider that supplies the end-to-end encryption solution. The merchant uses a P2PE device to capture card data and encrypt it at the point of capture, but the actual encryption, key management, and decryption occur within the provider’s secure, PCI-validated environment. This keeps plaintext card data from touching the merchant’s systems. The payment processor may transmit the encrypted data for authorization, and the issuer will respond, but the cryptographic work itself is performed by the solution provider. That’s why the best answer is the third-party solution provider.

In PCI P2PE, all cryptographic operations are handled by the third-party solution provider that supplies the end-to-end encryption solution. The merchant uses a P2PE device to capture card data and encrypt it at the point of capture, but the actual encryption, key management, and decryption occur within the provider’s secure, PCI-validated environment. This keeps plaintext card data from touching the merchant’s systems. The payment processor may transmit the encrypted data for authorization, and the issuer will respond, but the cryptographic work itself is performed by the solution provider. That’s why the best answer is the third-party solution provider.