- A
Store the bucket's access key and secret in instance metadata and have the application read them.
Why wrong: Access keys for Cloud Storage are not stored in instance metadata; using service account credentials is more secure.
- B
Download a service account key and store it securely on the VM, then configure the application to use the key.
Why wrong: Downloading keys is discouraged; workload identity federation or attaching a service account is preferred.
- C
Attach the service account to the Compute Engine instance at creation time using the --service-account flag.
Attaching the service account to the VM allows the application to use its credentials automatically via the metadata server.
- D
Grant the service account the 'Storage Admin' role on the project.
Why wrong: Storage Admin on the project grants access to all buckets in the project, which may be overly permissive.
- E
Grant the service account the 'Storage Object Admin' (or 'Storage Object Creator') role on the specific bucket.
This grants the service account the necessary permissions to write logs to the bucket.
Google ACE Configuring Access and Security Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is migrating a legacy application to Compute Engine. The application requires access to a Cloud Storage bucket for storing logs. The application runs on a VM with a service account attached. Which TWO steps should the engineer take to grant the application access to the bucket?
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
Attach the service account to the Compute Engine instance at creation time using the --service-account flag.
The correct approach involves two steps: (C) Attach a service account to the Compute Engine instance using the --service-account flag at creation time (or later by stopping and modifying the instance). This allows the instance to authenticate as the service account automatically. (E) Grant the service account the 'Storage Object Admin' (or 'Storage Object Creator') role on the specific bucket using IAM. This provides the least-privilege access needed for the application to store logs. Options A and B are incorrect because they involve storing keys or secrets, which is insecure and unnecessary when using a service account attached to the instance. Option D is incorrect because granting the role at the project level is too broad and violates the principle of least privilege.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Store the bucket's access key and secret in instance metadata and have the application read them.
Why it's wrong here
Access keys for Cloud Storage are not stored in instance metadata; using service account credentials is more secure.
- ✗
Download a service account key and store it securely on the VM, then configure the application to use the key.
Why it's wrong here
Downloading keys is discouraged; workload identity federation or attaching a service account is preferred.
- ✓
Attach the service account to the Compute Engine instance at creation time using the --service-account flag.
Why this is correct
Attaching the service account to the VM allows the application to use its credentials automatically via the metadata server.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Grant the service account the 'Storage Admin' role on the project.
Why it's wrong here
Storage Admin on the project grants access to all buckets in the project, which may be overly permissive.
- ✓
Grant the service account the 'Storage Object Admin' (or 'Storage Object Creator') role on the specific bucket.
Why this is correct
This grants the service account the necessary permissions to write logs to the bucket.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related ACE questions on access control and AAA configuration.
- →
Configuring Access and Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Configuring Access and Security practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Configuring Access and Security — This question tests Configuring Access and Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach the service account to the Compute Engine instance at creation time using the --service-account flag. — The correct approach involves two steps: (C) Attach a service account to the Compute Engine instance using the --service-account flag at creation time (or later by stopping and modifying the instance). This allows the instance to authenticate as the service account automatically. (E) Grant the service account the 'Storage Object Admin' (or 'Storage Object Creator') role on the specific bucket using IAM. This provides the least-privilege access needed for the application to store logs. Options A and B are incorrect because they involve storing keys or secrets, which is insecure and unnecessary when using a service account attached to the instance. Option D is incorrect because granting the role at the project level is too broad and violates the principle of least privilege.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related ACE questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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