Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

What is an effective way to reduce the scope of PCI audit standards within GCP?

1. Increase data encryption levels

2. Move the cardholder data environment into a separate GCP project

3. Implement serverless technologies

4. Use only Google-managed services

The correct answer is: Move the cardholder data environment into a separate GCP project

Moving the cardholder data environment into a separate GCP project is an effective way to reduce the scope of PCI audit standards within Google Cloud Platform (GCP). By isolating the cardholder data environment, you can create a clear boundary that delineates where sensitive payment information is stored and processed. This allows for more focused security controls and compliance measures specific to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) that apply only to that project. In a separate project, you can implement strict access controls, monitor activity more effectively, and minimize the number of systems and services that need to comply with PCI requirements. This separation can greatly streamline compliance efforts, as you can better manage the security parameters and audit requirements around the systems that interact directly with cardholder data, thus reducing the overall complexity involved in the compliance process. Additionally, while increasing data encryption levels, implementing serverless technologies, or using Google-managed services may enhance security and governance, they do not fundamentally change the scope of where sensitive data is handled or processed. The key to reducing the PCI audit scope lies in the strategic organization of resources, making the separation into a distinct project the most effective approach.