Google PCA Designing for Security and Compliance Practice Question
A company wants to allow users to authenticate to a web application running on Compute Engine using their existing corporate Active Directory credentials without exposing the application to the public internet. Which approach should they use?
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
✓
Set up Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) and sync Active Directory to Cloud Identity
Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) provides zero-trust access to applications by verifying identity and context. It integrates with Cloud Identity, which can be synced with Active Directory via Cloud Directory Sync.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure a Cloud VPN and allow only corporate IP addresses in firewall rules
Why it's wrong here
This does not authenticate individual users; it only restricts by IP.
- ✓
Set up Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) and sync Active Directory to Cloud Identity
Why this is correct
IAP uses Cloud Identity for authentication, and Cloud Directory Sync can sync AD users.
- ✗
Use Cloud Load Balancing with SSL and client certificates
Why it's wrong here
Client certificates are not tied to AD credentials and do not provide user-level authentication.
- ✗
Configure Cloud NAT and assign static IPs to users
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT is for outbound traffic, not inbound authentication.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Google Cloud Platform
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
Key term
Proxy
A proxy is an intermediary server that sits between a client and a destination server, forwarding requests and responses while providing security, privacy, and control.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCA practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCA exam.