- A
Use Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to mask the columns during query.
Why wrong: DLP can mask data but does not encrypt at rest with CMEK.
- B
Use BigQuery column-level encryption with AEAD functions and a Cloud KMS key.
Correct: AEAD functions enable column-level encryption with CMEK.
- C
Apply CMEK at the dataset level; all tables inherit the encryption.
Why wrong: Dataset-level CMEK encrypts all data at rest but does not allow per-column control.
- D
Store the data encrypted in Cloud Storage and use external tables with a CMEK.
Why wrong: External tables can use CMEK for storage, but not for column-level encryption within BigQuery.
Question 202 of 1,000
PDE Storing the Data Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of storing the data. 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 is using BigQuery for analytics and needs to ensure that certain columns containing PII are encrypted with a customer-managed key (CMEK). Which approach should they take?
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
✓
Use BigQuery column-level encryption with AEAD functions and a Cloud KMS key.
Option B is correct because BigQuery column-level encryption using AEAD (Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data) functions allows you to encrypt specific columns containing PII with a customer-managed key (CMEK) stored in Cloud KMS. This approach provides granular, field-level encryption that meets compliance requirements without affecting the rest of the table or dataset, and the encryption/decryption is performed transparently within BigQuery using the AEAD.DECRYPT_STRING function.
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.
- ✗
Use Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to mask the columns during query.
Why it's wrong here
DLP can mask data but does not encrypt at rest with CMEK.
- ✓
Use BigQuery column-level encryption with AEAD functions and a Cloud KMS key.
Why this is correct
Correct: AEAD functions enable column-level encryption with CMEK.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Apply CMEK at the dataset level; all tables inherit the encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Dataset-level CMEK encrypts all data at rest but does not allow per-column control.
- ✗
Store the data encrypted in Cloud Storage and use external tables with a CMEK.
Why it's wrong here
External tables can use CMEK for storage, but not for column-level encryption within BigQuery.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between dataset-level encryption (CMEK at the dataset or table level) and column-level encryption; the trap here is that candidates assume CMEK applies only at the dataset level, missing that BigQuery supports field-level encryption via AEAD functions with Cloud KMS keys for granular control.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BigQuery's AEAD encryption uses the AES-GCM algorithm with a 256-bit key, and the key is wrapped by a Cloud KMS key (CMEK). The AEAD.ENCRYPT function takes the plaintext, an additional authenticated data (AAD) string for integrity, and the key resource ID; the resulting ciphertext is stored as a BYTES column. A real-world scenario is a healthcare company that needs to encrypt patient SSNs in a BigQuery table while leaving other columns like diagnosis codes unencrypted, ensuring that only authorized users with access to the Cloud KMS key can decrypt the data.
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 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Storing the Data — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PDE question test?
Storing the Data — This question tests Storing the Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use BigQuery column-level encryption with AEAD functions and a Cloud KMS key. — Option B is correct because BigQuery column-level encryption using AEAD (Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data) functions allows you to encrypt specific columns containing PII with a customer-managed key (CMEK) stored in Cloud KMS. This approach provides granular, field-level encryption that meets compliance requirements without affecting the rest of the table or dataset, and the encryption/decryption is performed transparently within BigQuery using the AEAD.DECRYPT_STRING function.
What should I do if I get this PDE 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PDE 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 PDE exam.
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