Google PCA Designing for Security and Compliance Practice Question
An organization wants to use Cloud KMS to manage encryption keys for data in Cloud Storage and BigQuery. They require that key material never leaves a hardware security module (HSM) and must be FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified. Which TWO actions 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 key ring with protection level 'HSM'
To use HSM-backed keys, create a key ring with protection level HSM via Cloud HSM. Cloud KMS supports HSM keys that never leave the HSM.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a key ring with protection level 'HSM'
Why this is correct
HSM protection level ensures keys are generated in and remain in the HSM.
- ✗
Use Cloud External Key Manager (Cloud EKM)
Why it's wrong here
Cloud EKM uses external keys, not Google HSM.
- ✗
Use Customer-Supplied Encryption Keys (CSEK)
Why it's wrong here
CSEK keys are supplied by customer and stored temporarily on Google servers, not in HSMs.
- ✗
Create a key ring with protection level 'software'
Why it's wrong here
Software keys are not HSM-backed.
- ✓
Use a Cloud HSM cluster
Why this is correct
Cloud HSM provides FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified HSM clusters.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Google Cloud Platform
Key term
HSM
An HSM (Hardware Security Module) is a dedicated hardware device that securely generates, stores, and manages cryptographic keys used to protect sensitive data.
Key term
BigQuery
BigQuery is a fully managed, serverless data warehouse on Google Cloud that lets you run fast SQL queries on massive datasets without managing any infrastructure.
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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.