Is the merchant not responsible for the results of a scanned host if the merchant marks it out of scope?

Is the merchant not responsible for the results of a scanned host if the merchant marks it out of scope?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Partially
• D. Only for the first scan

Answer: (A)

In PCI DSS practice, scope defines which systems must be assessed and remediated. Marking a host as out of scope does not automatically free the merchant from responsibility for the results of a scanned host if that host is part of, or connected to, the cardholder data environment. If a system can affect the security of the CDE or is in a position to impact it, it remains in scope and its vulnerabilities must be addressed even if someone labels it as out of scope. The obligation is to ensure vulnerabilities identified by scans are remediated and the overall PCI posture is secure, not to rubber-stamp a label that excludes results. Therefore, the statement is false: the merchant still bears responsibility for the scan results for hosts that are within or connected to the PCI environment. If a host is truly isolated and cannot affect the CDE, it may be legitimately out of scope, but labeling it out of scope does not create a blanket exemption from remediation for systems that do impact PCI scope.

In PCI DSS practice, scope defines which systems must be assessed and remediated. Marking a host as out of scope does not automatically free the merchant from responsibility for the results of a scanned host if that host is part of, or connected to, the cardholder data environment. If a system can affect the security of the CDE or is in a position to impact it, it remains in scope and its vulnerabilities must be addressed even if someone labels it as out of scope. The obligation is to ensure vulnerabilities identified by scans are remediated and the overall PCI posture is secure, not to rubber-stamp a label that excludes results. Therefore, the statement is false: the merchant still bears responsibility for the scan results for hosts that are within or connected to the PCI environment. If a host is truly isolated and cannot affect the CDE, it may be legitimately out of scope, but labeling it out of scope does not create a blanket exemption from remediation for systems that do impact PCI scope.