Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

What is essential to control when managing Cloud KMS key access?

1. Key size

2. Key location

3. Key metadata

4. Key version rotation policy

The correct answer is: Key version rotation policy

Key version rotation policy is critical in managing Cloud KMS key access because it directly influences the security and lifecycle management of cryptographic keys. Regularly rotating keys helps to minimize the risk of keys being compromised over time. By implementing a rotation policy, organizations ensure that even if a key were to be compromised, the window of opportunity for misuse would be limited. In addition, key version rotation supports compliance with various industry standards and regulations that often require key rotation at defined intervals. This practice also facilitates operational protocols, such as testing and transitioning to new key versions safely. It ensures that applications utilizing the keys can continue functioning seamlessly while maintaining an updated security posture. The other options, while important aspects of key management, do not have the same direct impact on the security and access management of keys as the rotation policy does. Key size pertains to the strength of encryption, key location affects performance and latency, and key metadata is useful for documentation and management but does not control access or enhance security in the same way rotation does.