Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

What is the main purpose of using Cloud External Key Manager in Google Cloud?

1. To maintain encryption keys outside of the cloud environment

2. To automatically manage data retention policies

3. To perform real-time data analytics

4. To simplify data storage management

The correct answer is: To maintain encryption keys outside of the cloud environment

The main purpose of using Cloud External Key Manager in Google Cloud is to maintain encryption keys outside of the cloud environment. This service allows organizations to manage their encryption keys in a separate, dedicated key management system, providing an additional layer of security and control over their sensitive information. By having encryption keys external to the cloud provider, organizations can ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, maintain sovereignty over their keys, and establish strict access controls. This setup also helps alleviate concerns about vendor lock-in, as organizations have the flexibility to manage and rotate their keys independently of the cloud provider. In contrast, the other options focus on functionalities that are not relevant to the purpose of the Cloud External Key Manager. Managing data retention policies, performing real-time analytics, or simplifying storage management are more aligned with other cloud services and do not pertain to the specific goal of key management and encryption control offered by this particular service.