- A
Cloud Data Loss Prevention (Cloud DLP)
Why wrong: Cloud DLP is for classifying and de-identifying data, not key management.
- B
Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS)
Cloud KMS is the service for managing encryption keys.
- C
Secret Manager
Why wrong: Secret Manager is for storing secrets like passwords, not encryption keys for Cloud Storage.
- D
Cloud HSM
Why wrong: Cloud HSM provides hardware security module capabilities, but key management is still done via Cloud KMS.
Question 217 of 985
PCSE Supporting Compliance Requirements Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of supporting compliance requirements. 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 wants to encrypt data at rest in Cloud Storage using their own keys. Which Cloud service should they use to manage these keys?
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
✓
Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS)
Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS) allows customers to create, rotate, and manage their own encryption keys. Cloud HSM provides hardware security module-backed keys, but Cloud KMS is the management service. Cloud DLP is for data loss prevention, and Secret Manager is for storing secrets like API keys.
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.
- ✗
Cloud Data Loss Prevention (Cloud DLP)
Why it's wrong here
Cloud DLP is for classifying and de-identifying data, not key management.
- ✓
Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS)
Why this is correct
Cloud KMS is the service for managing encryption keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Secret Manager
Why it's wrong here
Secret Manager is for storing secrets like passwords, not encryption keys for Cloud Storage.
- ✗
Cloud HSM
Why it's wrong here
Cloud HSM provides hardware security module capabilities, but key management is still done via Cloud KMS.
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
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Supporting Compliance Requirements 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?
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: Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS) — Cloud Key Management Service (Cloud KMS) allows customers to create, rotate, and manage their own encryption keys. Cloud HSM provides hardware security module-backed keys, but Cloud KMS is the management service. Cloud DLP is for data loss prevention, and Secret Manager is for storing secrets like API keys.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.