- A
A Cloud HSM key ring
The key ring groups keys and can be created with HSM protection level.
- B
A key with purpose EXTERNAL
Why wrong: EXTERNAL keys are for keys managed outside Google Cloud.
- C
A key ring with protection level software
Why wrong: Software protection level does not use HSM.
- D
A cryptographic key with protection level HSM
The key must have protection level HSM to be stored in the HSM.
- E
A Cloud HSM cluster
Why wrong: Cloud HSM is a managed service; you don't create clusters.
Question 86 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 wants to use Cloud KMS to encrypt data in Cloud Storage with a key that is automatically rotated every 30 days. They also want to ensure that the key material is stored in a HSM. Which TWO resources must they create? (Choose two.)
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
✓
A Cloud HSM key ring
To use CMEK with Cloud HSM, the engineer needs to create a Cloud HSM key ring (which is a resource that groups keys) and a cryptographic key with protection level HSM. The key ring is created first, then the key is created within it. The other options: a key ring with software protection level would not use HSM; a Cloud KMS key is created within a key ring, so both are needed.
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.
- ✓
A Cloud HSM key ring
Why this is correct
The key ring groups keys and can be created with HSM protection level.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A key with purpose EXTERNAL
Why it's wrong here
EXTERNAL keys are for keys managed outside Google Cloud.
- ✗
A key ring with protection level software
Why it's wrong here
Software protection level does not use HSM.
- ✓
A cryptographic key with protection level HSM
Why this is correct
The key must have protection level HSM to be stored in the HSM.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A Cloud HSM cluster
Why it's wrong here
Cloud HSM is a managed service; you don't create clusters.
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.
- →
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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A Cloud HSM key ring — To use CMEK with Cloud HSM, the engineer needs to create a Cloud HSM key ring (which is a resource that groups keys) and a cryptographic key with protection level HSM. The key ring is created first, then the key is created within it. The other options: a key ring with software protection level would not use HSM; a Cloud KMS key is created within a key ring, so both are needed.
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
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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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