The answer is encryption at rest and in transit, data erasure capability, and access controls based on least privilege. These three controls are essential because GDPR and PCI DSS both mandate protecting sensitive data through cryptographic measures—encryption renders data unreadable during storage and transmission, directly satisfying GDPR’s security principle (Article 32) and PCI DSS Requirement 3.4. The right to erasure (Article 17) requires a process for customers to request deletion, while PCI DSS’s strict access control requirements (Requirement 7) demand that only authorized personnel can view cardholder data. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this scenario tests your ability to map overlapping regulatory requirements to technical controls; a common trap is selecting only one regulation’s controls (e.g., GDPR’s data portability) while ignoring PCI DSS’s encryption mandates. Remember the mnemonic “E-A-T” for Encryption, Access, and Termination (erasure) to recall the three pillars of combined GDPR and PCI DSS data protection.
CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security architect is evaluating a new cloud-based application that will process sensitive customer data. The architect must ensure compliance with GDPR and PCI DSS. Which THREE of the following controls should be implemented? (Select THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement a process for customers to request deletion of their personal data.
Option B is correct because GDPR grants data subjects the right to erasure (Article 17), also known as the 'right to be forgotten.' Implementing a process for customers to request deletion of their personal data is a mandatory control for GDPR compliance, directly addressing this regulatory requirement.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Deploy geo-fencing to block access from non-EU countries.
Why it's wrong here
Geo-fencing is not a regulatory requirement; GDPR permits data transfer with safeguards.
✓
Implement a process for customers to request deletion of their personal data.
Why this is correct
Right to erasure is a key GDPR requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use data masking for customer data in development and testing environments.
Why this is correct
Both GDPR and PCI DSS recommend masking to reduce exposure of sensitive data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Implement encryption at rest and in transit for all sensitive data.
Why this is correct
Required by both GDPR (data protection) and PCI DSS (encryption of cardholder data).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Retain all access logs for a minimum of 7 years.
Why it's wrong here
GDPR requires data minimization; PCI DSS requires 1 year retention.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that geo-fencing is a GDPR requirement, but GDPR focuses on the rights of data subjects and lawful processing, not on geographic blocking of access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, data masking (Option C) is a form of de-identification that replaces sensitive data with realistic but fictitious values, ensuring that development and testing environments do not expose actual customer data, which is critical for PCI DSS Requirement 3.4 (render stored PAN unreadable) and GDPR's data minimization principle. Encryption at rest and in transit (Option D) is a foundational security control mandated by PCI DSS Requirement 3.4 (at rest) and Requirement 4.1 (in transit), and is also considered a technical measure to protect personal data under GDPR Article 32; it ensures that even if data is intercepted or accessed without authorization, it remains unreadable without the proper decryption keys.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement a process for customers to request deletion of their personal data. — Option B is correct because GDPR grants data subjects the right to erasure (Article 17), also known as the 'right to be forgotten.' Implementing a process for customers to request deletion of their personal data is a mandatory control for GDPR compliance, directly addressing this regulatory requirement.
What should I do if I get this CAS-004 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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