Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

What must be done to ensure your encryption keys are rotated within the specified timeframe?

1. Implement automated key rotation procedures

2. Manually update the keys every 45 days

3. Use hardware security modules for key storage

4. Leave the rotation to the encryption service defaults

The correct answer is: Implement automated key rotation procedures

Implementing automated key rotation procedures is critical for ensuring that encryption keys are rotated according to the specified timeframe. Automated systems can manage key rotation processes efficiently, eliminating human error and the potential for oversight that comes with manual updates. By using automation, organizations can establish policies that dictate the frequency and conditions for key rotation, thus maintaining compliance with security standards and best practices. Furthermore, automation allows for consistent and timely rotations without the need for manual intervention, ensuring that keys are refreshed at the required intervals to enhance security. This proactive approach minimizes the risks associated with key compromise and strengthens overall data protection strategies. While other options may contribute to security in specific contexts, they do not inherently provide the systematic, reliable key rotation necessary for robust encryption key management.