Quick Answer
The answer is Secret Manager, as it is the only Google Cloud service purpose-built to store secrets securely for Cloud Run configuration. Secret Manager provides automatic encryption of secret values at rest using Google-managed or customer-managed encryption keys, and enforces encryption in transit via TLS, ensuring that sensitive data like database connection strings and API keys remain protected throughout their lifecycle. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between services that store data versus those that manage secrets—a common trap is confusing Cloud Storage (object storage) or Firestore (NoSQL database) with Secret Manager, but neither offers the same granular access control or automatic encryption for sensitive values. A useful memory tip is to think of Secret Manager as a “vault” for secrets, not a “bucket” for files or a “table” for records, so when you need to store secrets securely for Cloud Run, always choose the service with “Secret” in its name.
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of integrating google cloud services. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 developer needs to store configuration parameters for a Cloud Run service, such as database connection strings and API keys. The values must be encrypted at rest and in transit. Which service should be used?
Cloud SQL
Why wrong: Cloud SQL is a relational database service.
Cloud Storage
Why wrong: Cloud Storage is for storing files, not secrets.
Firestore
Why wrong: Firestore is a NoSQL database, not designed for secrets.
Secret Manager
Secret Manager is a secure and convenient storage system for secrets.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Secret Manager
Option B is correct because Secret Manager is designed for storing secrets with encryption at rest and in transit. Option A is for object storage, option C is a database, and option D is a relational database.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Cloud SQL
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL is a relational database service.
Cloud Storage
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Storage is for storing files, not secrets.
Firestore
Why it's wrong here
Firestore is a NoSQL database, not designed for secrets.
Secret Manager
Why this is correct
Secret Manager is a secure and convenient storage system for secrets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which PCD 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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FAQ
Integrating Google Cloud services — This question tests Integrating Google Cloud services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Secret Manager — Option B is correct because Secret Manager is designed for storing secrets with encryption at rest and in transit. Option A is for object storage, option C is a database, and option D is a relational database.
Identify which PCD 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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A team wants to use Cloud Scheduler to trigger a Cloud Function that calls an external API every hour. The Cloud Function requires an API key for the external service. How should the team securely provide the API key to the function?
easyWhy B: Option D is correct because Secret Manager is designed for storing secrets like API keys and integrates easily with Cloud Functions. Option A is wrong because hardcoding in code is insecure. Option B is wrong because environment variables are visible in the function configuration. Option C is wrong while encrypted, it's not a standard practice and harder to manage than Secret Manager.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PCD 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 PCD exam.
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