- A
Enable Access Transparency to log queries and manually review
Why wrong: Access Transparency logs Google admin access, not user query results. It does not mask data.
- B
Use Cloud DLP de-identification jobs to replace credit card numbers with tokens in the source table
Why wrong: De-identification jobs modify source data, not query-time masking. This alters the original data for all users.
- C
Use Cloud DLP inspect job and then manually apply a view that masks the column
Why wrong: Manual views are not dynamic based on user roles and require maintenance. Data policies are the recommended approach.
- D
Create a BigQuery Data Policy with masking rules on the column and assign appropriate IAM roles
BigQuery Data Policy allows column-level masking that applies dynamically based on the user's access, without modifying the underlying data.
PCSE Ensuring Data Protection Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of ensuring data protection. 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 uses Cloud DLP to scan a BigQuery table for sensitive data. They want to automatically mask credit card numbers in query results for users who are not data stewards. 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 BigQuery Data Policy with masking rules on the column and assign appropriate IAM roles
BigQuery column-level security with data masking rules (via BigQuery Data Policy) allows defining masking policies (e.g., email masking, hash masking) that are automatically applied to query results based on user IAM. DLP inspection can identify the sensitive columns, but the masking is enforced by BigQuery policies.
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.
- ✗
Enable Access Transparency to log queries and manually review
Why it's wrong here
Access Transparency logs Google admin access, not user query results. It does not mask data.
- ✗
Use Cloud DLP de-identification jobs to replace credit card numbers with tokens in the source table
Why it's wrong here
De-identification jobs modify source data, not query-time masking. This alters the original data for all users.
- ✗
Use Cloud DLP inspect job and then manually apply a view that masks the column
Why it's wrong here
Manual views are not dynamic based on user roles and require maintenance. Data policies are the recommended approach.
- ✓
Create a BigQuery Data Policy with masking rules on the column and assign appropriate IAM roles
Why this is correct
BigQuery Data Policy allows column-level masking that applies dynamically based on the user's access, without modifying the underlying data.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
- →
Ensuring Data Protection — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Ensuring Data Protection practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCSE questions
985 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCSE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCSE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment.
Ensuring Data Protection practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Ensuring Data Protection.
Managing Operations in a Cloud Solution Environment practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Managing Operations in a Cloud Solution Environment.
Configuring Network Security practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Configuring Network Security.
Supporting Compliance Requirements practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Supporting Compliance Requirements.
PCSE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE fundamentals.
PCSE scenario practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE scenario.
PCSE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCSE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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 BigQuery Data Policy with masking rules on the column and assign appropriate IAM roles — BigQuery column-level security with data masking rules (via BigQuery Data Policy) allows defining masking policies (e.g., email masking, hash masking) that are automatically applied to query results based on user IAM. DLP inspection can identify the sensitive columns, but the masking is enforced by BigQuery policies.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.