- A
Enable encryption by default in Cloud SQL settings
Why wrong: Default encryption uses Google-managed keys, not CMEK.
- B
Use Cloud HSM to generate a key and import it to Cloud SQL
Why wrong: HSM provides hardware security, but you still need to set up rotation via KMS.
- C
Create a key in Cloud KMS and manually rotate it each month
Why wrong: Manual rotation is possible but not automatic; the question implies automation.
- D
Create a key in Cloud KMS, specify it as the CMEK for Cloud SQL, and set rotation period to 30 days
This configuration meets the requirement: CMEK with automatic rotation.
Question 27 of 1,000
Cloud Digital Leader Why Cloud Technology Can Transform Business Practice Question
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of why cloud technology can transform business. 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 company is moving a sensitive database to Cloud SQL. They need to encrypt data at rest using customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) and rotate the key every 30 days. How should they set this up?
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
✓
Create a key in Cloud KMS, specify it as the CMEK for Cloud SQL, and set rotation period to 30 days
Cloud KMS allows managing keys outside the service, and you can set an automatic rotation period of 30 days. Cloud HSM provides hardware-backed keys but is not required. Protecting the key with IAM is separate. Enabling encryption by default uses Google-managed keys, not CMEK.
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.
- ✗
Enable encryption by default in Cloud SQL settings
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption uses Google-managed keys, not CMEK.
- ✗
Use Cloud HSM to generate a key and import it to Cloud SQL
Why it's wrong here
HSM provides hardware security, but you still need to set up rotation via KMS.
- ✗
Create a key in Cloud KMS and manually rotate it each month
Why it's wrong here
Manual rotation is possible but not automatic; the question implies automation.
- ✓
Create a key in Cloud KMS, specify it as the CMEK for Cloud SQL, and set rotation period to 30 days
Why this is correct
This configuration meets the requirement: CMEK with automatic rotation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Why Cloud Technology Can Transform Business — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Why Cloud Technology Can Transform Business — This question tests Why Cloud Technology Can Transform Business — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a key in Cloud KMS, specify it as the CMEK for Cloud SQL, and set rotation period to 30 days — Cloud KMS allows managing keys outside the service, and you can set an automatic rotation period of 30 days. Cloud HSM provides hardware-backed keys but is not required. Protecting the key with IAM is separate. Enabling encryption by default uses Google-managed keys, not CMEK.
What should I do if I get this GCDL question wrong?
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This GCDL practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 GCDL exam.
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