Google PCA Design and plan a cloud solution architecture Practice Question
A healthcare company is designing a system to process sensitive patient records on Google Cloud. They need to ensure that data is encrypted at rest with keys they control and can rotate on demand. They also require that the encryption keys are stored in a hardware security module (HSM) that is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated. Which Google Cloud service should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that CMEK alone provides HSM storage, but only Cloud HSM offers FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated hardware security modules.
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
✓
Cloud HSM with Cloud KMS
Cloud HSM with Cloud KMS provides hardware security module-backed keys that are FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated. It allows you to control key rotation and use them for encryption at rest across Google Cloud services. Google-managed keys do not give customer control, CMEK with standard Cloud KMS does not guarantee HSM storage, and CSEK requires external key management without HSM integration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cloud HSM with Cloud KMS
Why this is correct
Cloud HSM is a cloud-hosted HSM that is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated. When used with Cloud KMS, you can create and manage keys in an HSM, control rotation, and use them for encryption at rest. This meets all requirements: customer-controlled keys, on-demand rotation, and HSM storage with FIPS 140-2 Level 3. It integrates with many Google Cloud services for CMEK.
- ✗
Google-managed encryption keys
Why it's wrong here
Google-managed encryption keys are default encryption at rest, where Google manages the keys and rotation. The customer does not control the keys or their rotation schedule, and they are not stored in a customer-managed HSM. While they are FIPS 140-2 validated, they do not meet the requirement for customer-controlled keys with on-demand rotation and HSM storage.
- ✗
Customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) with Cloud KMS
Why it's wrong here
CMEK with Cloud KMS allows you to control keys and rotation, but Cloud KMS software keys are not stored in an HSM by default. You can use Cloud HSM, but CMEK alone does not guarantee HSM storage. The requirement specifies HSM with FIPS 140-2 Level 3, which is provided by Cloud HSM, not standard Cloud KMS. Therefore, this option is incomplete.
- ✗
Customer-supplied encryption keys (CSEK)
Why it's wrong here
CSEK allows you to provide your own encryption keys, but you are responsible for storing and managing them. Google does not store them in an HSM; you must manage the keys externally. This does not meet the requirement for HSM storage with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation. Additionally, CSEK does not support automatic rotation; you must manually rotate keys.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Google Cloud exam blueprint
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.