- A
Use Cloud Audit Logs to monitor insertions and manually run a DLP transformation.
Why wrong: This is not automated and does not meet the requirement.
- B
Use Cloud DLP inspection job triggers to scan the table and send notifications.
Why wrong: Inspection only detects sensitive data; it does not de-identify.
- C
Create a DLP de-identification template and apply it to the BigQuery table using a DLP job.
A DLP de-identification job can read from the source table, apply the template, and write the de-identified data to a destination table.
- D
Use BigQuery column-level security with data masking rules.
Why wrong: Masking rules do not transform the underlying data; they only mask it at query time.
Question 865 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 uses Cloud DLP to inspect BigQuery tables for sensitive data. They want to automatically de-identify the data as it is inserted into a new table using a DLP de-identification template. Which approach should they use?
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 DLP de-identification template and apply it to the BigQuery table using a DLP job.
Cloud DLP can be used to create a de-identification template and then apply it to data in BigQuery via a DLP job or by using the DLP API to transform data on the fly. However, to automatically de-identify data as it is inserted, a common pattern is to use Cloud Functions triggered by BigQuery streaming inserts or scheduled DLP jobs that transform the data and write to a new table.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use Cloud Audit Logs to monitor insertions and manually run a DLP transformation.
Why it's wrong here
This is not automated and does not meet the requirement.
- ✗
Use Cloud DLP inspection job triggers to scan the table and send notifications.
Why it's wrong here
Inspection only detects sensitive data; it does not de-identify.
- ✓
Create a DLP de-identification template and apply it to the BigQuery table using a DLP job.
Why this is correct
A DLP de-identification job can read from the source table, apply the template, and write the de-identified data to a destination table.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Use BigQuery column-level security with data masking rules.
Why it's wrong here
Masking rules do not transform the underlying data; they only mask it at query time.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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. Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Ensuring Data Protection — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Ensuring Data Protection practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Ensuring Data Protection — This question tests Ensuring Data Protection — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a DLP de-identification template and apply it to the BigQuery table using a DLP job. — Cloud DLP can be used to create a de-identification template and then apply it to data in BigQuery via a DLP job or by using the DLP API to transform data on the fly. However, to automatically de-identify data as it is inserted, a common pattern is to use Cloud Functions triggered by BigQuery streaming inserts or scheduled DLP jobs that transform the data and write to a new table.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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