- A
Configure client-side encryption in the application code
Why wrong: Client-side encryption is not a recommended architecture pattern for Cloud SQL and would add complexity.
- B
Rely on Google-managed default encryption for all data
Why wrong: Default encryption does not meet PCI DSS requirements for key management control.
- C
Enable customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) on Cloud SQL and Cloud Storage
CMEK provides control over key management required for PCI DSS.
- D
Use VPC Service Controls to restrict data access
VPC Service Controls prevent data exfiltration and help meet compliance.
- E
Use Cloud HSM with a key generated outside of Google Cloud
Why wrong: Cloud HSM is a key management service, but the question asks for actions specifically for encryption at rest and in transit; CMEK already covers this.
Quick Answer
The answer is to enable Customer-Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK) on both Cloud SQL and Cloud Storage, and to use VPC Service Controls to restrict data access. CMEK is critical for PCI DSS compliance because it gives the financial services company direct control over the encryption keys protecting data at rest, allowing them to meet audit and separation-of-duties requirements that Google-managed keys cannot satisfy. VPC Service Controls then create a secure perimeter around the data, preventing exfiltration and ensuring data in transit stays within the controlled network boundary. On the Google Professional Cloud Architect exam, this pairing tests your understanding that PCI DSS demands both key sovereignty (CMEK) and network-level access boundaries (VPC SC), a common trap being to choose only one. Remember the mnemonic "Keys and Walls" — CMEK provides the key control, VPC SC builds the wall.
Google PCA Design and plan a cloud solution architecture Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of design and plan a cloud solution 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 financial services company is designing a multi-tier application on Google Cloud. The application must meet PCI DSS compliance, with data encrypted at rest and in transit. They plan to use Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL for transactional data and Cloud Storage for archival data. Which TWO actions should the architect take to meet compliance requirements?
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
Enable customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) on Cloud SQL and Cloud Storage
Option C is correct because enabling CMEK on Cloud SQL and Cloud Storage allows the company to use their own encryption keys, which is often required by PCI DSS to demonstrate control over key management. CMEK ensures data at rest is encrypted with keys managed via Cloud KMS, providing auditability and separation of duties beyond Google-managed default encryption.
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.
- ✗
Configure client-side encryption in the application code
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is not a recommended architecture pattern for Cloud SQL and would add complexity.
- ✗
Rely on Google-managed default encryption for all data
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption does not meet PCI DSS requirements for key management control.
- ✓
Enable customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) on Cloud SQL and Cloud Storage
Why this is correct
CMEK provides control over key management required for PCI DSS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use VPC Service Controls to restrict data access
Why this is correct
VPC Service Controls prevent data exfiltration and help meet compliance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Cloud HSM with a key generated outside of Google Cloud
Why it's wrong here
Cloud HSM is a key management service, but the question asks for actions specifically for encryption at rest and in transit; CMEK already covers this.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume Google-managed default encryption is sufficient for PCI DSS, but the exam tests the nuance that many compliance frameworks require customer-managed keys (CMEK) to demonstrate control over the encryption process, not just encryption itself.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CMEK works by wrapping data encryption keys (DEKs) with a key encryption key (KEK) stored in Cloud KMS, which can be backed by Cloud HSM for FIPS 140-2 Level 3 compliance. When data is written to Cloud SQL or Cloud Storage, the service calls Cloud KMS to encrypt the DEK, ensuring that Google cannot access the plaintext keys. This separation is critical for PCI DSS Requirement 3.5, which mandates that cryptographic keys be stored securely and access be restricted.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Design and plan a cloud solution architecture — This question tests Design and plan a cloud solution architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) on Cloud SQL and Cloud Storage — Option C is correct because enabling CMEK on Cloud SQL and Cloud Storage allows the company to use their own encryption keys, which is often required by PCI DSS to demonstrate control over key management. CMEK ensures data at rest is encrypted with keys managed via Cloud KMS, providing auditability and separation of duties beyond Google-managed default encryption.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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