- A
When creating the Cloud SQL instance, specify a CMEK for the database using 'root.encryptionKeyName' and a different CMEK for backups using 'backup.encryptionKeyName'.
Cloud SQL API allows separate encryption keys for the database and backups.
- B
Create a Cloud KMS key ring with two keys, and use one key for the database and the other for backups, but Cloud SQL does not support separate keys.
Why wrong: Cloud SQL does support separate CMEKs for the database and backups.
- C
Use the same CMEK for both the database and backups, as separate keys are not supported.
Why wrong: Separate keys are supported in Cloud SQL for databases with CMEK.
- D
Enable CMEK on the Cloud SQL instance, and the backups will automatically use the same key.
Why wrong: By default backups use the same key, but you can specify a different key.
Google PCA Design for security and compliance Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of design for security and compliance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 using Cloud SQL with automatic backups enabled. They want to ensure that backups are encrypted with a customer-managed key (CMEK) and that the key used for backups is different from the one used for the database itself. How can they achieve this?
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
When creating the Cloud SQL instance, specify a CMEK for the database using 'root.encryptionKeyName' and a different CMEK for backups using 'backup.encryptionKeyName'.
Option D is correct because Cloud SQL allows you to specify a CMEK for the database and a separate CMEK for backups via the 'backup.encryptionKeyName' setting when creating the instance or later via patch. Option A is wrong because one master key wraps both; you cannot use two different CMEKs for the same instance unless using separate backups key. Option B is wrong because CMEK is supported, but you need to set the backup key separately. Option C is wrong because you can specify a different key for backups in the Cloud SQL API.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
When creating the Cloud SQL instance, specify a CMEK for the database using 'root.encryptionKeyName' and a different CMEK for backups using 'backup.encryptionKeyName'.
Why this is correct
Cloud SQL API allows separate encryption keys for the database and backups.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Create a Cloud KMS key ring with two keys, and use one key for the database and the other for backups, but Cloud SQL does not support separate keys.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL does support separate CMEKs for the database and backups.
- ✗
Use the same CMEK for both the database and backups, as separate keys are not supported.
Why it's wrong here
Separate keys are supported in Cloud SQL for databases with CMEK.
- ✗
Enable CMEK on the Cloud SQL instance, and the backups will automatically use the same key.
Why it's wrong here
By default backups use the same key, but you can specify a different key.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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Design for security and compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Design for security and compliance — This question tests Design for security and compliance — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: When creating the Cloud SQL instance, specify a CMEK for the database using 'root.encryptionKeyName' and a different CMEK for backups using 'backup.encryptionKeyName'. — Option D is correct because Cloud SQL allows you to specify a CMEK for the database and a separate CMEK for backups via the 'backup.encryptionKeyName' setting when creating the instance or later via patch. Option A is wrong because one master key wraps both; you cannot use two different CMEKs for the same instance unless using separate backups key. Option B is wrong because CMEK is supported, but you need to set the backup key separately. Option C is wrong because you can specify a different key for backups in the Cloud SQL API.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCA NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PCA 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 PCA exam.
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