To comply with PCI DSS, what should a security manager primarily focus on?

To comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), a security manager should primarily focus on the isolation of payment data from other data. This practice is crucial because PCI DSS requires that organizations protect cardholder data through a series of security controls, which includes ensuring that sensitive payment information is not commingled with other types of data.

Segmentation of network resources helps in creating distinct sub-networks that can isolate payment processing systems from general systems. By implementing network segmentation, organizations can limit the scope of PCI DSS compliance to only those systems that handle cardholder data, reducing the overall security exposure. This strategic isolation makes it easier to manage security controls specifically aimed at safeguarding payment card information while minimizing risks.

In this context, while containment of data and geofencing can play a role in securing data, they do not specifically address the key requirements of PCI DSS as effectively as network segmentation does. Isolation of payment data, while important, is achieved through the practice of segmentation, making the focus on segmentation particularly relevant for compliance efforts.