- A
When creating the Cloud SQL instance, specify a CMEK for the database using 'root.encryptionKeyName' and a different CMEK for backups using 'backup.encryptionKeyName'.
Cloud SQL API allows separate encryption keys for the database and backups.
- B
Create a Cloud KMS key ring with two keys, and use one key for the database and the other for backups, but Cloud SQL does not support separate keys.
Why wrong: Cloud SQL does support separate CMEKs for the database and backups.
- C
Use the same CMEK for both the database and backups, as separate keys are not supported.
Why wrong: Separate keys are supported in Cloud SQL for databases with CMEK.
- D
Enable CMEK on the Cloud SQL instance, and the backups will automatically use the same key.
Why wrong: By default backups use the same key, but you can specify a different key.
Google PCA Design for security and compliance Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of design for security and compliance. 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 using Cloud SQL with automatic backups enabled. They want to ensure that backups are encrypted with a customer-managed key (CMEK) and that the key used for backups is different from the one used for the database itself. How can they achieve this?
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
When creating the Cloud SQL instance, specify a CMEK for the database using 'root.encryptionKeyName' and a different CMEK for backups using 'backup.encryptionKeyName'.
Option A is correct because Cloud SQL supports specifying separate CMEKs for the database and its backups via the `root.encryptionKeyName` and `backup.encryptionKeyName` fields when creating the instance. This allows you to use a customer-managed key for the database and a different customer-managed key for automatic backups, meeting the requirement for key separation.
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.
- ✓
When creating the Cloud SQL instance, specify a CMEK for the database using 'root.encryptionKeyName' and a different CMEK for backups using 'backup.encryptionKeyName'.
Why this is correct
Cloud SQL API allows separate encryption keys for the database and backups.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a Cloud KMS key ring with two keys, and use one key for the database and the other for backups, but Cloud SQL does not support separate keys.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL does support separate CMEKs for the database and backups.
- ✗
Use the same CMEK for both the database and backups, as separate keys are not supported.
Why it's wrong here
Separate keys are supported in Cloud SQL for databases with CMEK.
- ✗
Enable CMEK on the Cloud SQL instance, and the backups will automatically use the same key.
Why it's wrong here
By default backups use the same key, but you can specify a different key.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google often tests the misconception that Cloud SQL forces the same key for both database and backups, but the platform actually supports distinct CMEKs via the `backup.encryptionKeyName` parameter, which candidates may overlook if they assume backups inherit the database key without an option to override.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Cloud SQL uses Cloud KMS to wrap the encryption keys for both the database and its backups. When you specify `backup.encryptionKeyName`, Cloud SQL creates a separate key version in KMS for backup encryption, ensuring that even if the database key is compromised, backups remain protected. This is critical for compliance scenarios like PCI DSS or HIPAA, where key separation is required to limit blast radius.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Design for security and compliance — This question tests Design for security and compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: When creating the Cloud SQL instance, specify a CMEK for the database using 'root.encryptionKeyName' and a different CMEK for backups using 'backup.encryptionKeyName'. — Option A is correct because Cloud SQL supports specifying separate CMEKs for the database and its backups via the `root.encryptionKeyName` and `backup.encryptionKeyName` fields when creating the instance. This allows you to use a customer-managed key for the database and a different customer-managed key for automatic backups, meeting the requirement for key separation.
What should I do if I get this PCA 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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