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GCDL Practice Question: Moving a regulated workload to Google Cloud and…
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of moving a regulated workload to google cloud and…. 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 is moving a regulated workload to Google Cloud and must ensure that their encryption keys are stored in a hardware security module (HSM) that meets FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation. Which Google Cloud key management option satisfies this requirement?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Cloud KMS software-backed keys, which are managed by Google and stored in Google's secure key management infrastructure
Cloud KMS software-backed keys meet FIPS 140-2 Level 1/2 but not Level 3. Software-backed keys are protected by Google's infrastructure but not stored in dedicated FIPS 140-2 Level 3 hardware. The requirement is specifically for HSM-backed storage.
B
Distractor review
Customer-supplied encryption keys (CSEK), where the customer provides the key with each API request
CSEK allows customers to supply their own keys per-request, but these keys are provided to Google's software encryption layer, not stored in or managed by an HSM. The key management and HSM storage requirement is not met.
C
Distractor review
Secret Manager, which stores API keys and credentials with automatic rotation
Secret Manager stores secrets (API keys, passwords, connection strings) securely, but it is not an HSM. It does not provide FIPS 140-2 Level 3 hardware-backed cryptographic key management.
D
Best answer
Cloud HSM, which stores and manages keys in FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated hardware security modules
Cloud HSM specifically addresses the FIPS 140-2 Level 3 requirement. Keys generated and stored in Cloud HSM never leave the HSM in plaintext form, and all cryptographic operations occur within the certified hardware. This is the correct answer for workloads requiring hardware-backed key storage at the highest FIPS level.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
Related practice questions
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More questions from this exam
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Question 1
A traditional retailer currently maintains its own data centers, purchasing servers every 3–5 years and paying for facilities, power, and staff regardless of demand. When it migrates its workloads to the public cloud, which change in cost model does it experience?
Question 2
An e-commerce company plans its infrastructure for peak shopping events (e.g., Black Friday) which drive 50× normal traffic. On-premises, they must maintain 50× capacity year-round. In the cloud, they provision 50× capacity only during peak periods. Which cloud characteristic enables this cost optimization?
Question 3
Which term describes the process by which organizations integrate digital technology into all areas of their business, fundamentally changing how they operate and deliver value to customers?
Question 4
When a company moves from maintaining its own data center to using Google Cloud, which operational responsibility does Google assume that the company previously managed?
Question 5
A hospital runs a patient records system that must remain on-premises due to strict regulatory data residency requirements. However, they also want to use cloud-based AI for diagnostic imaging analysis. Which cloud deployment model best describes their architecture?
Question 6
What is virtualization in the context of cloud computing, and why is it fundamental to how cloud providers deliver services?
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cloud HSM, which stores and manages keys in FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated hardware security modules — Cloud HSM is Google Cloud's managed hardware security module service, integrated with Cloud KMS. It stores and manages encryption keys in FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated hardware devices, meaning the keys never leave the HSM in plaintext and all cryptographic operations occur within the certified hardware. This meets the highest regulatory requirements for key storage.
What should I do if I get this GCDL question wrong?
Identify which GCDL 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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This GCDL 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 GCDL exam.