- A
Schedule destruction of the key and set a destruction period of 7 days.
This sets a 7-day grace period before permanent destruction, allowing recovery.
- B
Disable the key before scheduling destruction.
Why wrong: Disabling is optional; destruction can be scheduled directly without disabling first.
- C
Use Cloud HSM to store the key material for additional protection.
Cloud HSM provides hardware security module protection; destruction follows same process but key material is in HSM.
- D
Ensure the key is not used by any active resources before destruction.
If the key is still in use, destroying it would make data undecryptable; best practice is to ensure no active usage.
- E
Rotate the key before destruction to create a new version.
Why wrong: Rotation creates a new version but does not affect destruction of the old version.
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 is designing a key destruction process for Cloud KMS. They need to ensure that after a key is destroyed, the ciphertext encrypted with that key becomes permanently undecryptable. They also need to allow a 7-day recovery window in case of accidental destruction. Which three steps should they take? (Choose THREE).
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
Schedule destruction of the key and set a destruction period of 7 days.
Cloud KMS offers a pending destruction state with a default grace period of 24 hours, which can be extended up to 30 days. By setting a longer destruction period (e.g., 7 days), the key remains in pending destruction state and can be restored. After the grace period expires, the key is destroyed permanently. Disabling the key prevents use but allows re-enabling. Rotation does not affect destruction. Using Cloud HSM is not directly related to destruction timing.
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.
- ✓
Schedule destruction of the key and set a destruction period of 7 days.
Why this is correct
This sets a 7-day grace period before permanent destruction, allowing recovery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable the key before scheduling destruction.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling is optional; destruction can be scheduled directly without disabling first.
- ✓
Use Cloud HSM to store the key material for additional protection.
Why this is correct
Cloud HSM provides hardware security module protection; destruction follows same process but key material is in HSM.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Ensure the key is not used by any active resources before destruction.
Why this is correct
If the key is still in use, destroying it would make data undecryptable; best practice is to ensure no active usage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Rotate the key before destruction to create a new version.
Why it's wrong here
Rotation creates a new version but does not affect destruction of the old version.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which PCSE 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
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: Schedule destruction of the key and set a destruction period of 7 days. — Cloud KMS offers a pending destruction state with a default grace period of 24 hours, which can be extended up to 30 days. By setting a longer destruction period (e.g., 7 days), the key remains in pending destruction state and can be restored. After the grace period expires, the key is destroyed permanently. Disabling the key prevents use but allows re-enabling. Rotation does not affect destruction. Using Cloud HSM is not directly related to destruction timing.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Identify which PCSE 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.
About these practice questions
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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.
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