- A
Use BigQuery AEAD encryption functions with a Cloud KMS key
AEAD functions allow encrypting specific columns and decrypting via a SQL function, using keys from Cloud KMS.
- B
Use BigQuery column-level access controls
Why wrong: Column-level access controls restrict who can read the column but do not encrypt the data.
- C
Use Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS) with CMEK for the BigQuery dataset
Why wrong: CMEK encrypts the entire dataset at rest, not individual columns.
- D
Use Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to de-identify the column
Why wrong: DLP supports de-identification (masking, tokenization), but not reversible encryption with user-managed keys for on-the-fly decryption in queries.
Question 9 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 healthcare organization stores patient data in BigQuery. They need to encrypt a specific column (e.g., SSN) using a key they manage, and decrypt it only for authorized queries via a user-defined function. Which approach 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
✓
Use BigQuery AEAD encryption functions with a Cloud KMS key
BigQuery AEAD encryption functions (e.g., `AEAD.ENCRYPT` and `AEAD.DECRYPT`) allow you to encrypt a specific column using a customer-managed key stored in Cloud KMS, and then decrypt it only within a user-defined function (UDF) that enforces access controls. This meets the requirement of per-column encryption with key management and authorized decryption via a UDF.
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 BigQuery AEAD encryption functions with a Cloud KMS key
Why this is correct
AEAD functions allow encrypting specific columns and decrypting via a SQL function, using keys from Cloud KMS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use BigQuery column-level access controls
Why it's wrong here
Column-level access controls restrict who can read the column but do not encrypt the data.
- ✗
Use Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS) with CMEK for the BigQuery dataset
Why it's wrong here
CMEK encrypts the entire dataset at rest, not individual columns.
- ✗
Use Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to de-identify the column
Why it's wrong here
DLP supports de-identification (masking, tokenization), but not reversible encryption with user-managed keys for on-the-fly decryption in queries.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common mistake is to choose dataset-level encryption (CMEK) because it involves Cloud KMS, but CMEK does not allow per-column encryption or UDF-controlled decryption. The correct approach uses BigQuery AEAD encryption functions with a Cloud KMS key for column-level encryption and authorized decryption via a UDF.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BigQuery AEAD encryption uses the `AEAD.ENCRYPT` function with a key retrieved from Cloud KMS via the `KEYS.KEYSET_CHAIN` function, which references a Cloud KMS key URI. The decryption UDF must be defined with the `SECURITY DEFINER` attribute to run with the definer's permissions, ensuring only authorized users can invoke it. A common pitfall is that the key must be in the same region as the BigQuery dataset, and the UDF must have access to the Cloud KMS key via IAM permissions.
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.
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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: Use BigQuery AEAD encryption functions with a Cloud KMS key — BigQuery AEAD encryption functions (e.g., `AEAD.ENCRYPT` and `AEAD.DECRYPT`) allow you to encrypt a specific column using a customer-managed key stored in Cloud KMS, and then decrypt it only within a user-defined function (UDF) that enforces access controls. This meets the requirement of per-column encryption with key management and authorized decryption via a UDF.
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
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