- A
BigQuery AEAD encryption functions
AEAD encrypts columns; access control via key access.
- B
VPC Service Controls
Why wrong: Controls network perimeter, not data encryption at column level.
- C
Customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK)
Why wrong: CMEK encrypts entire table, not column-level selective decryption.
- D
Fine-grained IAM roles
Why wrong: IAM controls table/view access, not column-level encryption.
Question 360 of 1,000
PDE Storing the Data Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of storing the data. 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 company uses BigQuery for analytics and needs to ensure that certain columns containing PII are encrypted at query time so that only authorized users can decrypt. What should they use?
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
✓
BigQuery AEAD encryption functions
BigQuery AEAD encryption functions allow you to encrypt sensitive columns (e.g., PII) at query time using a user-managed key, so that only authorized users who possess the key can decrypt the data. This is the correct approach because it provides column-level, application-layer encryption that is transparent to the query engine and ensures that unauthorized users see only ciphertext.
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.
- ✓
BigQuery AEAD encryption functions
Why this is correct
AEAD encrypts columns; access control via key access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
VPC Service Controls
Why it's wrong here
Controls network perimeter, not data encryption at column level.
- ✗
Customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK)
Why it's wrong here
CMEK encrypts entire table, not column-level selective decryption.
- ✗
Fine-grained IAM roles
Why it's wrong here
IAM controls table/view access, not column-level encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In Google Cloud exams, a common trap is to assume that Customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) provide column-level, application-layer encryption or query-time decryption control. CMEK only protects data at rest at the storage level, not at query time. The correct approach for column-level query-time encryption is to use BigQuery AEAD encryption functions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BigQuery AEAD functions (e.g., `AEAD.ENCRYPT` and `AEAD.DECRYPT`) use a symmetric key (e.g., AES-256-GCM) that you manage in Cloud KMS or as a raw key. The encryption happens within the SQL query, so the column is stored as ciphertext in the table, and only queries that include the `DECRYPT` function with the correct key material can reveal the plaintext. A subtle behavior is that the key must be passed as a parameter or derived from a keyset, and if the key is rotated, old ciphertext remains decryptable only with the old key version.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Storing the Data — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PDE question test?
Storing the Data — This question tests Storing the Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: BigQuery AEAD encryption functions — BigQuery AEAD encryption functions allow you to encrypt sensitive columns (e.g., PII) at query time using a user-managed key, so that only authorized users who possess the key can decrypt the data. This is the correct approach because it provides column-level, application-layer encryption that is transparent to the query engine and ensures that unauthorized users see only ciphertext.
What should I do if I get this PDE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PDE 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 PDE exam.
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