PCSE Ensuring Data Protection Practice Question
An organization wants to use a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated hardware security module (HSM) to protect encryption keys in Cloud KMS. Which key protection level should they choose when creating a key ring?
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
✓
hsm
Cloud KMS offers two protection levels: software and HSM. HSM protection level uses Cloud HSM, which is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated. Software keys are validated to Level 1.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
software
Why it's wrong here
Software keys are FIPS 140-2 Level 1, not Level 3.
- ✗
cloud
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'cloud' protection level.
- ✗
external
Why it's wrong here
External keys are managed outside Google, but not necessarily HSM.
- ✓
hsm
Why this is correct
HSM keys use Cloud HSM which is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated.
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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.