- A
Cloud Armor: Protects against DDoS attacks and web application firewall
Cloud Armor provides DDoS protection and WAF capabilities.
- B
Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP): Controls access to applications based on user identity and context
IAP uses identity and context to enforce access control.
- C
Cloud Key Management Service (KMS): Manages encryption keys for cloud services
KMS handles creation, rotation, and management of encryption keys.
- D
Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Scans and masks sensitive data to prevent leaks
DLP discovers and redacts sensitive data like PII.
- E
Cloud Armor: Manages encryption keys for cloud services
Why wrong: Incorrect — this describes Cloud KMS, not Cloud Armor.
- F
Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP): Scans for vulnerabilities in compute instances
Why wrong: Incorrect — scanning for vulnerabilities is done by Security Command Center or Web Security Scanner, not IAP.
Google PCA Design and plan a cloud solution architecture Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of design and plan a cloud solution architecture. 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.
Match each GCP security service to its function.
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
Cloud Armor: Protects against DDoS attacks and web application firewall
Cloud Armor protects against DDoS and web attacks; IAP controls access based on identity; KMS handles encryption keys; DLP protects sensitive data. Distractors swap these functions.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cloud Armor: Protects against DDoS attacks and web application firewall
Why this is correct
Cloud Armor provides DDoS protection and WAF capabilities.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✓
Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP): Controls access to applications based on user identity and context
Why this is correct
IAP uses identity and context to enforce access control.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✓
Cloud Key Management Service (KMS): Manages encryption keys for cloud services
Why this is correct
KMS handles creation, rotation, and management of encryption keys.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✓
Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Scans and masks sensitive data to prevent leaks
Why this is correct
DLP discovers and redacts sensitive data like PII.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Cloud Armor: Manages encryption keys for cloud services
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes Cloud KMS, not Cloud Armor.
- ✗
Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP): Scans for vulnerabilities in compute instances
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — scanning for vulnerabilities is done by Security Command Center or Web Security Scanner, not IAP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect — scanning for vulnerabilities is done by Security Command Center or Web Security Scanner, not IAP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCA subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Design and plan a cloud solution architecture — This question tests Design and plan a cloud solution architecture — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cloud Armor: Protects against DDoS attacks and web application firewall — Cloud Armor protects against DDoS and web attacks; IAP controls access based on identity; KMS handles encryption keys; DLP protects sensitive data. Distractors swap these functions.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCA subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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