The correct combination is to use CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS. This works because CMEK allows you to manage your own encryption keys for Cloud Storage, while Cloud Audit Logs automatically capture every key access event, such as key retrieval or decryption, through Data Access audit logs—no additional configuration is needed beyond enabling the log type. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this question tests your understanding that CMEK is the active, compliant choice for GDPR encryption at rest, and that logging key access is a separate, built-in audit capability, not a feature of key rotation or hardware modules. A common trap is confusing Cloud HSM with audit logging, but remember: HSM changes where the key lives, not how access is logged. Memory tip: “CMEK for control, Audit Logs for the log—no extra tools needed.”
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 financial institution is subject to GDPR and requires encryption at rest for all data in Cloud Storage. They want to use CMEK but also need to log all key access events. Which combination of services meets both requirements with least effort?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS.
Option B is correct because Cloud KMS keys can be used with Cloud Storage via CMEK, and Cloud Audit Logs automatically log key access via Data Access audit logs. Option A is wrong because CSEK is deprecated. Option C is wrong because Cloud HSM is a hardware-backed key management, but the key access logs are still in Cloud Audit Logs. Option D is wrong because rotating keys is not required for compliance; logging access is.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 HSM to protect keys, and enable Cloud Audit Logs for Cloud HSM.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud HSM is for key storage; logging is still via Cloud Audit Logs, but this adds unnecessary complexity.
✗
Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and set key rotation every 30 days.
Why it's wrong here
Key rotation is not required by GDPR; the requirement is logging key access, which is already done via audit logs.
✗
Use CSEK (customer-supplied encryption keys) and enable Cloud Audit Logs for all services.
Why it's wrong here
CSEK is deprecated and does not log key access automatically.
✓
Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS.
Why this is correct
CMEK uses Cloud KMS keys; Data Access logs record all key operations for compliance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCSE NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Supporting compliance requirements — This question tests Supporting compliance requirements — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use CMEK with Cloud KMS and enable Cloud Audit Logs with Data Access audit logs for Cloud KMS. — Option B is correct because Cloud KMS keys can be used with Cloud Storage via CMEK, and Cloud Audit Logs automatically log key access via Data Access audit logs. Option A is wrong because CSEK is deprecated. Option C is wrong because Cloud HSM is a hardware-backed key management, but the key access logs are still in Cloud Audit Logs. Option D is wrong because rotating keys is not required for compliance; logging access is.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related PCSE NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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