Question 1,054 of 1,446
Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCDE Practice Question: Deploy scalable and highly available databases in Google Cloud
An engineer needs to create a backup of a Cloud SQL for MySQL instance that is retained for 400 days to meet compliance requirements. What is the correct approach?
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
✓
Use Cloud SQL export to Cloud Storage and store the export for 400 days using object lifecycle management.
Cloud SQL for MySQL allows automated backups with a maximum retention of 365 days. To retain a backup for longer, the engineer must create an on-demand export to Cloud Storage. The export can be stored indefinitely. Automated backup retention cannot be extended beyond 365 days. Using Cloud SQL's backup retention setting to 400 days is not supported. Using a read replica is not a backup. Using PITR does not create a separate backup file.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use Cloud SQL export to Cloud Storage and store the export for 400 days using object lifecycle management.
Why this is correct
Export to Cloud Storage creates a durable backup that can be retained indefinitely via object lifecycle rules, meeting the 400-day requirement.
- ✗
Set the backup retention to 400 days in the Cloud SQL instance settings.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL maximum retention is 365 days. You cannot set it to 400 days.
- ✗
Create a cross-region read replica and use it as a backup source.
Why it's wrong here
A read replica is not a backup; it is a live copy used for reads or failover. It does not serve as a retention archive.
- ✗
Use the gcloud command: gcloud sql backups create --instance=myinstance --async and rely on default retention.
Why it's wrong here
Default retention is less than 400 days. This does not meet the requirement.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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