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 using Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to inspect and de-identify sensitive data in Cloud Storage. They want to classify data using infoTypes and apply de-identification techniques. Which TWO actions should they take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the DLP API to inspect the storage for sensitive data.
Option B is correct because the DLP API's `inspect` method is the primary mechanism to scan Cloud Storage objects for sensitive data patterns defined by infoTypes. Option C is correct because after inspection, de-identification transformations like masking or tokenization are applied via the DLP API's `deidentify` method to redact or replace sensitive content. Together, these two actions form the standard workflow for classifying and protecting data in Cloud Storage using Cloud DLP.
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.
✗
Create custom infoTypes for all sensitive data.
Why it's wrong here
DLP provides many built-in infoTypes; custom infoTypes are not always necessary.
✓
Use the DLP API to inspect the storage for sensitive data.
Why this is correct
DLP API can scan and classify data using infoTypes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Apply de-identification transformations such as masking or tokenization.
Why this is correct
DLP supports various de-identification techniques.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Store de-identification templates in Cloud KMS.
Why it's wrong here
De-identification templates are stored in DLP, not Cloud KMS.
✗
Use VPC Service Controls to restrict access to the data.
Why it's wrong here
VPC Service Controls do not classify or de-identify data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that VPC Service Controls or Cloud KMS are directly involved in the DLP inspection and de-identification process, when in fact they are separate security services for perimeter control and key management, respectively.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When using the DLP API, the `inspect` method returns findings with likelihood scores and location details, which can then be fed into the `deidentify` method that applies transformations like `PrimitiveTransformation` (e.g., `ReplaceWithInfoType`, `CharacterMaskConfig`). A subtle behavior is that de-identification can be configured with conditional logic using `RecordTransformations` to target specific fields based on inspection results, enabling fine-grained control over which data gets transformed. In a real-world scenario, a healthcare company might use the DLP API to inspect FHIR data in Cloud Storage, then apply tokenization to patient IDs while leaving non-sensitive fields untouched.
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 — 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: Use the DLP API to inspect the storage for sensitive data. — Option B is correct because the DLP API's `inspect` method is the primary mechanism to scan Cloud Storage objects for sensitive data patterns defined by infoTypes. Option C is correct because after inspection, de-identification transformations like masking or tokenization are applied via the DLP API's `deidentify` method to redact or replace sensitive content. Together, these two actions form the standard workflow for classifying and protecting data in Cloud Storage using Cloud DLP.
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.
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Question Discussion
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