Google PCA Designing for Security and Compliance Practice Question
A company needs to encrypt data at rest in Cloud Storage using their own keys. They require that the keys are stored in a hardware security module (HSM) that is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified. Which key management option should they choose?
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
✓
Customer-Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK) with Cloud HSM
Cloud HSM is a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified HSM service that allows you to manage your own encryption keys for CMEK. CSEK requires you to supply keys yourself, but they are not stored in an HSM. Cloud KMS without HSM is only Level 1. Google-managed keys do not use customer keys.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Google-managed encryption keys
Why it's wrong here
Google manages these keys, not the customer.
- ✗
Customer-Supplied Encryption Keys (CSEK)
Why it's wrong here
CSEK requires you to manage keys yourself, not stored in HSM.
- ✓
Customer-Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK) with Cloud HSM
Why this is correct
Cloud HSM provides FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSM for CMEK keys.
- ✗
Customer-Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK) with Cloud KMS
Why it's wrong here
Cloud KMS by itself is not HSM-backed; it is FIPS 140-2 Level 1.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Google Cloud Platform
Key term
Cloud KMS
Cloud KMS (Key Management Service) is a cloud-based service that lets you create, manage, and use encryption keys to protect your data at rest and in transit.
Key term
KMS
KMS (Key Management Service) is a Microsoft technology that automates volume licensing activation for Windows and Office products within an organization's network.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCA 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 PCA exam.