- A
Use Cloud HSM to protect keys, and enable Cloud Audit Logs for Cloud HSM.
Why wrong: Cloud HSM is for key storage; logging is still via Cloud Audit Logs, but this adds unnecessary complexity.
- B
Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and set key rotation every 30 days.
Why wrong: Key rotation is not required by GDPR; the requirement is logging key access, which is already done via audit logs.
- C
Use CSEK (customer-supplied encryption keys) and enable Cloud Audit Logs for all services.
Why wrong: CSEK is deprecated and does not log key access automatically.
- D
Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS.
CMEK uses Cloud KMS keys; Data Access logs record all key operations for compliance.
Question 747 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
CMEK Encryption with Audit Logging — Key Access Monitoring
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of pcse exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 financial institution is subject to GDPR and requires encryption at rest for all data in Cloud Storage. They want to use CMEK but also need to log all key access events. Which combination of services meets both requirements with least effort?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Quick Answer
The correct combination is to use CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS. This works because CMEK allows you to manage your own encryption keys for Cloud Storage, while Cloud Audit Logs automatically capture every key access event, such as key retrieval or decryption, through Data Access audit logs—no additional configuration is needed beyond enabling the log type. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this question tests your understanding that CMEK is the active, compliant choice for GDPR encryption at rest, and that logging key access is a separate, built-in audit capability, not a feature of key rotation or hardware modules. A common trap is confusing Cloud HSM with audit logging, but remember: HSM changes where the key lives, not how access is logged. Memory tip: “CMEK for control, Audit Logs for the log—no extra tools needed.”
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 CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS.
Option D is correct because CMEK with Cloud KMS allows you to manage your own encryption keys for Cloud Storage, and enabling Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS captures all key access events required by GDPR. Option A is incorrect: while Cloud HSM can protect keys, it adds unnecessary complexity; key access logging is still done via Cloud Audit Logs, but using Cloud HSM alone does not meet the logging requirement without enabling audit logs. Option B is incorrect: setting key rotation every 30 days is a good practice but does not provide logging of key access events. Option C is incorrect: CSEK (customer-supplied encryption keys) is deprecated and does not automatically log key access; the customer must manage logging separately.
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.
- ✗
Use Cloud HSM to protect keys, and enable Cloud Audit Logs for Cloud HSM.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud HSM is for key storage; logging is still via Cloud Audit Logs, but this adds unnecessary complexity.
- ✗
Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and set key rotation every 30 days.
Why it's wrong here
Key rotation is not required by GDPR; the requirement is logging key access, which is already done via audit logs.
- ✗
Use CSEK (customer-supplied encryption keys) and enable Cloud Audit Logs for all services.
Why it's wrong here
CSEK is deprecated and does not log key access automatically.
- ✓
Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS.
Why this is correct
CMEK uses Cloud KMS keys; Data Access logs record all key operations for compliance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCSE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS. — Option D is correct because CMEK with Cloud KMS allows you to manage your own encryption keys for Cloud Storage, and enabling Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS captures all key access events required by GDPR. Option A is incorrect: while Cloud HSM can protect keys, it adds unnecessary complexity; key access logging is still done via Cloud Audit Logs, but using Cloud HSM alone does not meet the logging requirement without enabling audit logs. Option B is incorrect: setting key rotation every 30 days is a good practice but does not provide logging of key access events. Option C is incorrect: CSEK (customer-supplied encryption keys) is deprecated and does not automatically log key access; the customer must manage logging separately.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Identify which PCSE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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