CV0-004 Security Practice Question
A financial services company runs a critical application on Google Cloud. The security team requires that all data at rest in Cloud Storage buckets be encrypted with customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) that are rotated every 90 days. The company also needs to maintain full control over key lifecycle and revoke access immediately if a key is compromised. Which GCP service should be used to manage these keys?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that Cloud HSM alone provides key management, when it is actually a key storage option within Cloud KMS.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS)
Cloud KMS is the centralized key management service in GCP. It enables the creation of CMEK, supports automatic rotation schedules, and integrates with Cloud Storage to encrypt data at rest. Access to keys is controlled via IAM, allowing immediate revocation. This provides the required control over key lifecycle and meets the 90-day rotation policy.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Why it's wrong here
IAM manages access to GCP resources but does not generate or manage encryption keys. It can control who can use a key, but it cannot create, rotate, or revoke keys themselves. Without Cloud KMS, there are no customer-managed keys to rotate or revoke, so IAM alone cannot satisfy the encryption key lifecycle requirements.
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Cloud Hardware Security Module (Cloud HSM)
Why it's wrong here
Cloud HSM is a service that provides hardware-backed key storage, but it is a feature of Cloud KMS, not a standalone key management service. While it offers FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated HSMs, it does not by itself provide key rotation or lifecycle management. The administrator would still need Cloud KMS to manage keys, making Cloud HSM an incomplete answer.
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Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Why it's wrong here
Cloud DLP is designed to discover, classify, and protect sensitive data such as PII. It does not manage encryption keys or provide key rotation capabilities. While it can help identify data that needs encryption, it cannot enforce CMEK or revoke keys, so it is not the correct service for this requirement.
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Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS)
Why this is correct
Cloud KMS allows organizations to create and manage customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) for Cloud Storage and other services. It supports automatic rotation schedules (e.g., every 90 days) and provides granular IAM controls to revoke access instantly. The key material is stored in a hardware security module (HSM) or software, and the customer retains full control, meeting all requirements.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This CV0-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CV0-004 exam.