- A
Inspection job with a Cloud Data Loss Prevention API to call a Cloud Function.
Why wrong: Inspection jobs do not transform data.
- B
De-identification job with a bucketing transform.
Why wrong: Bucketing is for generalizing, not specifically redacting credit card numbers.
- C
Inspection job with a Cloud Pub/Sub notification to trigger a Cloud Function that redacts the data.
Why wrong: An inspection job only finds PII; redaction requires a de-identification job or additional code.
- D
De-identification job using a masking transform for credit card numbers.
A de-identification job can apply transforms (e.g., masking) to redact sensitive data.
Question 33 of 985
PCSE Ensuring Data Protection Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of ensuring data protection. 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 has a Cloud Storage bucket containing CSV files with sensitive data. They want to use Cloud DLP to scan the files for personally identifiable information (PII) and automatically redact (replace) any detected credit card numbers before the data is used by downstream analytics. What type of job should they create?
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
✓
De-identification job using a masking transform for credit card numbers.
Option D is correct because Cloud DLP's de-identification jobs are designed to automatically transform sensitive data, such as redacting credit card numbers using a masking transform. This job type directly applies the redaction to the CSV files in Cloud Storage without requiring external triggers or custom functions, making it the most efficient and native solution for automated redaction before downstream analytics.
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.
- ✗
Inspection job with a Cloud Data Loss Prevention API to call a Cloud Function.
Why it's wrong here
Inspection jobs do not transform data.
- ✗
De-identification job with a bucketing transform.
Why it's wrong here
Bucketing is for generalizing, not specifically redacting credit card numbers.
- ✗
Inspection job with a Cloud Pub/Sub notification to trigger a Cloud Function that redacts the data.
Why it's wrong here
An inspection job only finds PII; redaction requires a de-identification job or additional code.
- ✓
De-identification job using a masking transform for credit card numbers.
Why this is correct
A de-identification job can apply transforms (e.g., masking) to redact sensitive data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between inspection-only jobs (detection) and de-identification jobs (transformation), and the trap here is that candidates confuse 'inspection' with 'redaction' or assume a custom function is needed when DLP's native transforms suffice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud DLP de-identification jobs support transforms like `PrimitiveTransformation` with `ReplaceWithInfoTypeConfig` or `CharacterMaskConfig`, which can directly redact credit card numbers by replacing them with a placeholder (e.g., '[CREDIT_CARD_NUMBER]') or masking characters. The job can be configured to scan Cloud Storage buckets and apply the transform inline, ensuring data never leaves the DLP service boundary. In real-world scenarios, this avoids the overhead of triggering external functions and reduces the risk of data leakage during transit.
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 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
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.
- →
Ensuring Data Protection — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Ensuring Data Protection practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCSE questions
985 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCSE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCSE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment.
Ensuring Data Protection practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Ensuring Data Protection.
Managing Operations in a Cloud Solution Environment practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Managing Operations in a Cloud Solution Environment.
Configuring Network Security practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Configuring Network Security.
Supporting Compliance Requirements practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Supporting Compliance Requirements.
PCSE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE fundamentals.
PCSE scenario practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE scenario.
PCSE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCSE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Ensuring Data Protection — This question tests Ensuring Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: De-identification job using a masking transform for credit card numbers. — Option D is correct because Cloud DLP's de-identification jobs are designed to automatically transform sensitive data, such as redacting credit card numbers using a masking transform. This job type directly applies the redaction to the CSV files in Cloud Storage without requiring external triggers or custom functions, making it the most efficient and native solution for automated redaction before downstream analytics.
What should I do if I get this PCSE 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.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCSE 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 PCSE exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.