DEA-C02 Data Governance Practice Question
A data engineer needs to identify all columns across a multi-database Snowflake account that have been assigned the 'PII_Type' tag to ensure compliance with a new privacy regulation. Which approach provides the most comprehensive and efficient result for this account-level audit?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates frequently select the Information Schema instead of Account Usage, forgetting that Information Schema only contains data for the current database, not the entire account.
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
✓
Query the TAG_REFERENCES view within the SNOWFLAKE.ACCOUNT_USAGE schema.
Snowflake object tagging allows for fine-grained metadata management across the account. Using the ACCOUNT_USAGE.TAG_REFERENCES view is the most efficient way to track PII tags globally, as it aggregates data from all databases. This centralized approach ensures that data engineers can maintain compliance and auditability without needing to query individual database schemas, which is crucial for scalable governance strategies.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Query the INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TAG_REFERENCES table function in every database.
Why it's wrong here
The INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TAG_REFERENCES view provides metadata about tags applied to objects within a specific database, but it does not support cross-database tracking in a single query. Relying on this view requires switching contexts or unioning results, which is inefficient for global PII tracking across an entire Snowflake account.
- ✗
Use the SYSTEM$GET_TAG function on every table in the account sequentially.
Why it's wrong here
Using a system function for metadata retrieval at scale is highly inefficient because it requires iterating through every object manually. This approach does not leverage Snowflake's built-in metadata views and is prone to human error, making it unsuitable for a comprehensive audit of all columns across multiple databases.
- ✓
Query the TAG_REFERENCES view within the SNOWFLAKE.ACCOUNT_USAGE schema.
Why this is correct
The ACCOUNT_USAGE.TAG_REFERENCES view contains a comprehensive record of all tag associations across the entire Snowflake account, including those in different databases. This view is the standard for account-wide governance and auditing, allowing for a single query to return all objects tagged with specific compliance-related labels.
- ✗
Execute a SHOW TAGS command and filter for the 'PII_Type' string in the output.
Why it's wrong here
The SHOW TAGS command only lists the tag definitions themselves rather than the associations between those tags and specific columns or tables. While it confirms a tag exists, it provides no visibility into which data objects are actually governed by that tag, failing the requirement for a compliance audit.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Snowflake exam blueprint
This DEA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Snowflake 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 DEA-C02 exam.