Google PCA Design for security and compliance Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of design for security and compliance. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 startup wants to encrypt data at rest in Cloud Storage using Customer-Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK). They have already created a Cloud KMS key ring and key. What additional step is required to enable CMEK for a new Cloud Storage bucket?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Grant the Cloud Storage service account the Cloud KMS CryptoKey Encrypter/Decrypter role on the key.
Option A is correct because the Cloud Storage service account needs permission to encrypt and decrypt with the CMEK key. Option B is wrong because the key ring does not require a label. Option C is wrong because Cloud HSM is not required for CMEK, though it can be used. Option D is wrong because no API enablement is needed beyond what is already done.
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.
✗
Enable the Cloud KMS API in the project where the bucket will reside.
Why it's wrong here
The Cloud KMS API should already be enabled if a key was created; it is not a separate step for the bucket.
✗
Create a Cloud HSM key instead, as CMEK requires HSM.
Why it's wrong here
CMEK can use software keys; HSM is a separate option.
✗
Add a label to the key ring to associate it with the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Labels are optional metadata and do not affect encryption permissions.
✓
Grant the Cloud Storage service account the Cloud KMS CryptoKey Encrypter/Decrypter role on the key.
Why this is correct
The service account that Cloud Storage uses must be authorized to use the key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PCA question in full detail.
Identify which PCA 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.
Design for security and compliance — This question tests Design for security and compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Grant the Cloud Storage service account the Cloud KMS CryptoKey Encrypter/Decrypter role on the key. — Option A is correct because the Cloud Storage service account needs permission to encrypt and decrypt with the CMEK key. Option B is wrong because the key ring does not require a label. Option C is wrong because Cloud HSM is not required for CMEK, though it can be used. Option D is wrong because no API enablement is needed beyond what is already done.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Identify which PCA 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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