- A
Enable GKE Dataplane V2 for network policy enforcement.
Why wrong: Dataplane V2 improves network policy performance but is not a PCI DSS requirement.
- B
Enable Shielded GKE nodes.
Shielded nodes provide verifiable integrity of the node's boot and kernel, a PCI DSS requirement.
- C
Configure Cloud Audit Logs for the cluster.
Why wrong: Audit logs are enabled by default and do not require additional configuration for PCI DSS.
- D
Use GKE Sandbox for all untrusted workloads.
Why wrong: Sandbox provides additional isolation but is not mandatory for PCI DSS.
- E
Enable Binary Authorization on the cluster.
Binary Authorization ensures only trusted images are deployed, meeting change control and integrity requirements.
Question 608 of 1,000
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 financial services company must meet PCI DSS compliance requirements for a Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) cluster processing credit card data. Which TWO actions are required to help achieve PCI DSS compliance? (Choose two.)
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 Shielded GKE nodes.
Option B is correct because Shielded GKE nodes provide verifiable integrity of the node's operating system and boot process, which is essential for PCI DSS requirements related to protecting cardholder data against tampering. Shielded nodes use UEFI firmware, Secure Boot, and measured boot to ensure that only signed and trusted software runs on the node, helping to meet the 'Protect Cardholder Data' and 'Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program' objectives.
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 GKE Dataplane V2 for network policy enforcement.
Why it's wrong here
Dataplane V2 improves network policy performance but is not a PCI DSS requirement.
- ✓
Enable Shielded GKE nodes.
Why this is correct
Shielded nodes provide verifiable integrity of the node's boot and kernel, a PCI DSS requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure Cloud Audit Logs for the cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Audit logs are enabled by default and do not require additional configuration for PCI DSS.
- ✗
Use GKE Sandbox for all untrusted workloads.
Why it's wrong here
Sandbox provides additional isolation but is not mandatory for PCI DSS.
- ✓
Enable Binary Authorization on the cluster.
Why this is correct
Binary Authorization ensures only trusted images are deployed, meeting change control and integrity requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google PCA often tests the distinction between 'required' and 'recommended' security controls; the trap here is that candidates may confuse optional security features like GKE Sandbox or Dataplane V2 with mandatory PCI DSS requirements, when in fact PCI DSS focuses on node integrity (Shielded nodes) and software supply chain security (Binary Authorization).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Shielded GKE nodes leverage UEFI Secure Boot to verify the bootloader and kernel signatures against a hardware-protected key store, and measured boot records the boot components in a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) for remote attestation. This ensures that the node's OS has not been compromised by rootkits or bootkits, which is critical for PCI DSS Requirement 10 (Track and monitor access) and Requirement 11 (Regularly test security systems). In a real-world scenario, if a node is compromised at boot time, an attacker could intercept credit card data in memory; Shielded nodes prevent this by ensuring only trusted code executes.
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
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: Enable Shielded GKE nodes. — Option B is correct because Shielded GKE nodes provide verifiable integrity of the node's operating system and boot process, which is essential for PCI DSS requirements related to protecting cardholder data against tampering. Shielded nodes use UEFI firmware, Secure Boot, and measured boot to ensure that only signed and trusted software runs on the node, helping to meet the 'Protect Cardholder Data' and 'Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program' objectives.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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