- A
Set a retention policy on the BigQuery dataset to prevent accidental deletion.
BigQuery dataset retention policies can help protect against deletion.
- B
Use IAM conditions to restrict who can delete the dataset or table.
IAM conditions add a layer of protection by limiting deletion permissions.
- C
Use Cloud KMS to encrypt the data and destroy the key after 7 years.
Why wrong: Destroying the key does not prevent deletion of the data; it only makes it unreadable.
- D
Export the data to Cloud Storage and enable Bucket Lock with a 7-year retention policy.
Cloud Storage's Bucket Lock provides WORM compliance for the required retention period.
- E
Enable object lifecycle management to delete data after 7 years.
Why wrong: Lifecycle management deletes data; it does not prevent deletion.
PCSE Supporting Compliance Requirements Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of supporting compliance requirements. 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 implementing a data retention policy to comply with regulatory requirements. They need to retain certain BigQuery data for 7 years and ensure it cannot be deleted before the retention period ends. 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
Set a retention policy on the BigQuery dataset to prevent accidental deletion.
BigQuery does not have native retention locks like Cloud Storage. One approach is to export data to Cloud Storage and apply a retention policy with Bucket Lock. For data that remains in BigQuery, you can use IAM conditions to restrict deletion, set dataset retention policies, and use Cloud Audit Logs to monitor deletion attempts. Deleting the dataset after 7 years can be automated via lifecycle rules in Cloud Storage, but the question asks for steps to prevent premature deletion.
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.
- ✓
Set a retention policy on the BigQuery dataset to prevent accidental deletion.
Why this is correct
BigQuery dataset retention policies can help protect against deletion.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use IAM conditions to restrict who can delete the dataset or table.
Why this is correct
IAM conditions add a layer of protection by limiting deletion permissions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Cloud KMS to encrypt the data and destroy the key after 7 years.
Why it's wrong here
Destroying the key does not prevent deletion of the data; it only makes it unreadable.
- ✓
Export the data to Cloud Storage and enable Bucket Lock with a 7-year retention policy.
Why this is correct
Cloud Storage's Bucket Lock provides WORM compliance for the required retention period.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable object lifecycle management to delete data after 7 years.
Why it's wrong here
Lifecycle management deletes data; it does not prevent deletion.
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.
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?
Supporting Compliance Requirements — This question tests Supporting Compliance Requirements — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set a retention policy on the BigQuery dataset to prevent accidental deletion. — BigQuery does not have native retention locks like Cloud Storage. One approach is to export data to Cloud Storage and apply a retention policy with Bucket Lock. For data that remains in BigQuery, you can use IAM conditions to restrict deletion, set dataset retention policies, and use Cloud Audit Logs to monitor deletion attempts. Deleting the dataset after 7 years can be automated via lifecycle rules in Cloud Storage, but the question asks for steps to prevent premature deletion.
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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