- A
DateShiftConfig
Why wrong: DateShiftConfig shifts dates by a random amount; not applicable for credit card numbers.
- B
MaskingConfig
MaskingConfig can mask characters with a specified character and range; e.g., mask last 12 characters leaving last 4 unmasked.
- C
BucketingConfig
Why wrong: BucketingConfig groups values into buckets; not for masking specific characters.
- D
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig
Why wrong: CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig preserves format and length but does not mask characters; it replaces with a consistent pseudonym.
Question 83 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 scan a BigQuery table containing customer data. They want to de-identify credit card numbers so that the first 12 digits are masked with 'X' and the last 4 digits remain visible. Which de-identification transform should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
MaskingConfig
MaskingConfig with a masking character 'X' and a character mask range from -12 to -1 (or similar) can achieve this. However, for consistent de-identification of credit card numbers, the CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig with an appropriate range might be used, but it preserves format. The direct mask is MaskingConfig. The correct answer is MaskingConfig as it allows masking specific character ranges. The other options: DateShiftConfig shifts dates, BucketingConfig groups values, and CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig preserves format but does not mask.
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.
- ✗
DateShiftConfig
Why it's wrong here
DateShiftConfig shifts dates by a random amount; not applicable for credit card numbers.
- ✓
MaskingConfig
Why this is correct
MaskingConfig can mask characters with a specified character and range; e.g., mask last 12 characters leaving last 4 unmasked.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
BucketingConfig
Why it's wrong here
BucketingConfig groups values into buckets; not for masking specific characters.
- ✗
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig
Why it's wrong here
CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig preserves format and length but does not mask characters; it replaces with a consistent pseudonym.
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 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.
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
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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: MaskingConfig — MaskingConfig with a masking character 'X' and a character mask range from -12 to -1 (or similar) can achieve this. However, for consistent de-identification of credit card numbers, the CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig with an appropriate range might be used, but it preserves format. The direct mask is MaskingConfig. The correct answer is MaskingConfig as it allows masking specific character ranges. The other options: DateShiftConfig shifts dates, BucketingConfig groups values, and CryptoReplaceFfxFpeConfig preserves format but does not mask.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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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