How do firewalls support compliance with standards like PCI-DSS?

Firewalls support compliance with standards like PCI-DSS primarily by enforcing rules for protecting cardholder data. PCI-DSS, or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, outlines specific requirements for organizations that handle credit card information to ensure the security of that data.

Firewalls play a crucial role in protecting sensitive data by controlling traffic based on predetermined security rules. This involves monitoring and filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic to block unauthorized access and to safeguard cardholder information from potential breaches. By implementing stringent access controls and ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive data, firewalls help organizations demonstrate compliance with the data protection requirements set forth by PCI-DSS.

In contrast, other options such as increasing the speed of data transactions or simplifying network architecture do not directly contribute to compliance with PCI-DSS. While performance and efficiency are important in network management, they are not the primary purpose of firewalls in the context of data security standards. Allowing unrestricted access during audits is contrary to the principles of securing cardholder data, as it would expose sensitive information to unnecessary risks.