For which purpose is PCI compliance specifically designed?

PCI compliance, which stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), is specifically designed to secure payment card information. This standard was developed to enhance the security of card transactions and to protect cardholders against misuse of their personal information.

PCI compliance outlines a set of requirements that organizations must follow to ensure that they manage and protect credit card data properly. This includes measures such as encrypting cardholder data, implementing secure payment environments, and regularly monitoring and testing networks to prevent breaches. The focus on payment card information is critical because this type of data is particularly sensitive and a target for cybercriminals.

While other options relate to handling various types of sensitive or personal data, they do not specifically address the unique requirements and standards set forth for payment card information under PCI compliance. This distinguishes PCI compliance from regulations that focus on health information or general customer data management.