- A
Enable default encryption at rest in BigQuery and use Organization Policies to restrict key location
Why wrong: Default encryption uses Google-managed keys, not CMEK.
- B
Create a Cloud KMS key ring and crypto key in the desired region, then associate the BigQuery dataset with the CMEK key using DDL
This is the standard procedure for CMEK in BigQuery.
- C
Create a Cloud HSM key, then use Cloud DLP to automatically encrypt the data before loading into BigQuery
Why wrong: Cloud DLP is for anonymization, not storage encryption; Cloud HSM keys can be used with CMEK but DLP doesn't replace it.
- D
Use Cloud External Key Manager (EKM) to integrate with an on-premises key management system
Why wrong: EKM allows using keys from external KMS, but the process for BigQuery still requires dataset association; plus EKM may not satisfy regional key requirement if on-prem keys are elsewhere.
Google PCA Design for security and compliance Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of design for security and compliance. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 multinational corporation must comply with GDPR and requires that all customer data stored in BigQuery be encrypted using customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) and that the keys are stored in a specific region. Which combination of steps should they take?
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
Create a Cloud KMS key ring and crypto key in the desired region, then associate the BigQuery dataset with the CMEK key using DDL
Option B is correct because it directly fulfills the requirement: creating a Cloud KMS key ring and crypto key in the desired region, then associating the BigQuery dataset with that CMEK key using DDL (e.g., `ALTER SCHEMA mydataset SET OPTIONS(kms_key_name='...')`). This ensures that all data at rest in BigQuery is encrypted with a customer-managed key stored in a specific regional location, as mandated by GDPR for data residency and control.
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 default encryption at rest in BigQuery and use Organization Policies to restrict key location
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption uses Google-managed keys, not CMEK.
- ✓
Create a Cloud KMS key ring and crypto key in the desired region, then associate the BigQuery dataset with the CMEK key using DDL
Why this is correct
This is the standard procedure for CMEK in BigQuery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a Cloud HSM key, then use Cloud DLP to automatically encrypt the data before loading into BigQuery
Why it's wrong here
Cloud DLP is for anonymization, not storage encryption; Cloud HSM keys can be used with CMEK but DLP doesn't replace it.
- ✗
Use Cloud External Key Manager (EKM) to integrate with an on-premises key management system
Why it's wrong here
EKM allows using keys from external KMS, but the process for BigQuery still requires dataset association; plus EKM may not satisfy regional key requirement if on-prem keys are elsewhere.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common pitfall is that candidates may confuse Cloud DLP or EKM as valid methods for BigQuery encryption at rest, when only CMEK via Cloud KMS with DDL association meets the specific requirement of regional key storage and customer control.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, BigQuery CMEK uses Cloud KMS envelope encryption: a CMEK key in Cloud KMS wraps a data encryption key (DEK) that encrypts the actual data. When you associate a dataset with a CMEK key via DDL, BigQuery automatically uses that key for all tables and views in the dataset, and the key's location (region) is enforced by Cloud KMS, ensuring data residency compliance. A subtle behavior is that the CMEK key must be in the same multi-region or region as the BigQuery dataset; otherwise, the association will fail, which is critical for GDPR compliance.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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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Design for security and compliance — study guide chapter
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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: Create a Cloud KMS key ring and crypto key in the desired region, then associate the BigQuery dataset with the CMEK key using DDL — Option B is correct because it directly fulfills the requirement: creating a Cloud KMS key ring and crypto key in the desired region, then associating the BigQuery dataset with that CMEK key using DDL (e.g., `ALTER SCHEMA mydataset SET OPTIONS(kms_key_name='...')`). This ensures that all data at rest in BigQuery is encrypted with a customer-managed key stored in a specific regional location, as mandated by GDPR for data residency and control.
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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