- A
DateShiftConfig
Why wrong: DateShiftConfig shifts dates by a random offset, not format-preserving tokenization.
- B
MaskingConfig
Why wrong: Masking replaces characters with a mask character, which may not preserve length exactly and is not reversible.
- C
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig
FPE preserves format and length and is reversible, making it suitable for tokenization.
- D
BucketingConfig
Why wrong: Bucketing transforms values into ranges, which does not preserve format and is not reversible.
Question 55 of 1,000
PCSE Ensuring Data Protection Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of ensuring data protection. 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.
Which Cloud DLP transform should be used to replace sensitive data with a token that preserves the format and length of the original data for reversible de-identification?
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
✓
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig uses Format-Preserving Encryption (FPE) to replace data with a token that retains the original format and length, and the process is reversible with the encryption key.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DateShiftConfig
Why it's wrong here
DateShiftConfig shifts dates by a random offset, not format-preserving tokenization.
- ✗
MaskingConfig
Why it's wrong here
Masking replaces characters with a mask character, which may not preserve length exactly and is not reversible.
- ✓
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig
Why this is correct
FPE preserves format and length and is reversible, making it suitable for tokenization.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
BucketingConfig
Why it's wrong here
Bucketing transforms values into ranges, which does not preserve format and is not reversible.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Ensuring Data Protection — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Ensuring Data Protection — This question tests Ensuring Data Protection — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig — CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig uses Format-Preserving Encryption (FPE) to replace data with a token that retains the original format and length, and the process is reversible with the encryption key.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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