Which SAQ is relevant for service providers identified by payment brands?

The correct choice is relevant because SAQ D is specifically designed for merchants and service providers that handle cardholder data or that do not meet the eligibility criteria for other shorter Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs). This SAQ covers all the requirements of the PCI DSS, acknowledging the more complex environments that service providers may operate in, including those that store, process, or transmit cardholder data, and is applicable to any entity that does not fall into more restrictive categories.

SAQ D ensures comprehensive compliance, emphasizing the importance of security measures and controls for those who provide payment processing services. The need for a detailed assessment arises from the diverse and potentially higher risk of exposure involved in service provider operations.

Other SAQs, such as B, C, and P2PE, are tailored for specific types of merchants and service providers with less extensive interactions with cardholder data and are not all-encompassing like SAQ D. Each of these alternative SAQs has specific eligibility criteria and doesn’t address the complete range of requirements necessary for service providers, making SAQ D the appropriate choice for service providers identified by payment brands.