The answer is to enable Data Access audit logs for both the Cloud SQL instance and the Cloud KMS key. This is correct because HIPAA audit logging for Cloud SQL with CMEK requires capturing every access to protected health information and the encryption keys that protect it; Data Access audit logs record all read, write, and admin operations on these resources, creating the comprehensive audit trail needed for compliance. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this question tests your understanding that CMEK shifts key management responsibility to you, so logging key access is just as critical as logging database access—a common trap is enabling only Cloud SQL logs while forgetting the KMS key itself. Remember the mnemonic “Double D” for Data and Decryption: log both the database and the key to prove who touched the data and who touched the lock.
PCSE Supporting compliance requirements Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of supporting compliance requirements. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 healthcare organization is migrating sensitive patient data to Google Cloud and must comply with HIPAA. They plan to use Cloud SQL for MySQL with CMEK for encryption at rest. The security team is concerned about key management and access logging. Which additional measure should be implemented to meet HIPAA audit requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Data Access audit logs for the Cloud SQL instance and Cloud KMS key.
Option C is correct because HIPAA audit requirements mandate that access to protected health information (PHI) and the keys protecting it must be logged. Enabling Data Access audit logs on both the Cloud SQL instance and the Cloud KMS key captures read, write, and administrative operations, providing the necessary audit trail for compliance. Without these logs, the organization cannot demonstrate who accessed the data or the encryption keys, which is a core HIPAA requirement.
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.
✗
Configure VPC Service Controls to restrict access to the Cloud SQL instance.
Why it's wrong here
VPC Service Controls prevent unauthorized access but do not log all access attempts.
✗
Use Cloud DLP to de-identify the data before storing it in Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
De-identification reduces risk but does not fulfill audit logging requirements.
✓
Enable Data Access audit logs for the Cloud SQL instance and Cloud KMS key.
Why this is correct
Data Access audit logs record all accesses to data and keys, satisfying HIPAA audit trail requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Store the CMEK keys in Cloud HSM to meet FIPS 140-2 Level 3 requirements.
Why it's wrong here
While HSM provides hardware security, it does not address audit logging.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between security controls that prevent access (like VPC Service Controls or HSM) and controls that provide auditability (like Data Access audit logs), leading candidates to pick a security measure that does not fulfill the specific audit requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Cloud SQL Data Access audit logs record every API call that reads or writes data, including SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations, while Cloud KMS audit logs capture key enable/disable, encrypt, decrypt, and version management actions. HIPAA's Security Rule (45 CFR § 164.312(b)) requires audit controls that record and examine activity in information systems containing ePHI, and these logs must be retained for at least six years. In a real-world scenario, a healthcare auditor would request logs showing who decrypted a specific patient record; without Data Access audit logs on both the database and the KMS key, the organization cannot prove compliance.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Enable Data Access audit logs for the Cloud SQL instance and Cloud KMS key. — Option C is correct because HIPAA audit requirements mandate that access to protected health information (PHI) and the keys protecting it must be logged. Enabling Data Access audit logs on both the Cloud SQL instance and the Cloud KMS key captures read, write, and administrative operations, providing the necessary audit trail for compliance. Without these logs, the organization cannot demonstrate who accessed the data or the encryption keys, which is a core HIPAA requirement.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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