- A
Store logs in BigQuery and set table expiration to 5 years
Why wrong: BigQuery can store logs, but the default audit log retention is 30 days. You would still need to export logs to BigQuery, and table expiration would delete the table, not the logs in Cloud Logging. Also, this is more expensive than Cloud Storage.
- B
Create a log sink to export logs to Cloud Storage, and use Object Lifecycle Management to delete objects after 5 years
Log sink exports logs to Cloud Storage. Then, lifecycle rules can delete objects after 5 years, meeting the retention requirement.
- C
Use Cloud Functions to periodically copy logs to a persistent disk
Why wrong: Persistent disks are not designed for long-term archival. Cloud Functions add complexity. Cloud Storage is the correct destination for long-term archival.
- D
Enable the 'Log Retention' setting in Cloud Logging to 5 years
Why wrong: Cloud Logging does not have a setting to retain logs for more than 30 days (default) or 365 days (if using a log bucket with custom retention). The maximum is 3650 days but only for custom log buckets, and it is not straightforward. The recommended approach is to export to Cloud Storage.
PCSE Supporting Compliance Requirements Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of supporting compliance requirements. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 needs to store audit logs for a minimum of 5 years to meet compliance requirements. Cloud Logging retains logs for 30 days by default. Which approach should they take?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Create a log sink to export logs to Cloud Storage, and use Object Lifecycle Management to delete objects after 5 years
To retain logs for longer than 30 days, you must create a log sink that exports logs to a destination like Cloud Storage, and then set a retention policy on the bucket. Cloud Storage's Object Lifecycle Management can delete objects after 5 years.
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.
- ✗
Store logs in BigQuery and set table expiration to 5 years
Why it's wrong here
BigQuery can store logs, but the default audit log retention is 30 days. You would still need to export logs to BigQuery, and table expiration would delete the table, not the logs in Cloud Logging. Also, this is more expensive than Cloud Storage.
- ✓
Create a log sink to export logs to Cloud Storage, and use Object Lifecycle Management to delete objects after 5 years
Why this is correct
Log sink exports logs to Cloud Storage. Then, lifecycle rules can delete objects after 5 years, meeting the retention requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Cloud Functions to periodically copy logs to a persistent disk
Why it's wrong here
Persistent disks are not designed for long-term archival. Cloud Functions add complexity. Cloud Storage is the correct destination for long-term archival.
- ✗
Enable the 'Log Retention' setting in Cloud Logging to 5 years
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Logging does not have a setting to retain logs for more than 30 days (default) or 365 days (if using a log bucket with custom retention). The maximum is 3650 days but only for custom log buckets, and it is not straightforward. The recommended approach is to export to Cloud Storage.
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.
- →
Supporting Compliance Requirements — study guide chapter
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Supporting Compliance Requirements practice questions
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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: Create a log sink to export logs to Cloud Storage, and use Object Lifecycle Management to delete objects after 5 years — To retain logs for longer than 30 days, you must create a log sink that exports logs to a destination like Cloud Storage, and then set a retention policy on the bucket. Cloud Storage's Object Lifecycle Management can delete objects after 5 years.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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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