PCSE Ensuring Data Protection Practice Question
A company uses Cloud KMS with an HSM key for encryption of sensitive data. The compliance team requires that the key material never leaves the HSM boundary. They plan to use the key for symmetric encryption/decryption. Which key purpose should they specify when creating the key?
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
✓
ENCRYPT_DECRYPT
For symmetric encryption/decryption, the key purpose must be ENCRYPT_DECRYPT. ASYMMETRIC_SIGN and ASYMMETRIC_DECRYPT are for asymmetric keys. MAC is for message authentication codes. Only ENCRYPT_DECRYPT supports symmetric operations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ASYMMETRIC_SIGN
Why it's wrong here
This is for signing, not symmetric encryption.
- ✗
ASYMMETRIC_DECRYPT
Why it's wrong here
This is for asymmetric decryption, not symmetric encryption.
- ✗
MAC
Why it's wrong here
MAC is for message authentication, not encryption.
- ✓
ENCRYPT_DECRYPT
Why this is correct
This is the purpose for symmetric encryption/decryption, and HSM keys support it.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCSE 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 PCSE exam.