- A
Grant predefined roles `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` and `roles/storage.objectAdmin`.
Why wrong: Incorrect. These predefined roles include delete permissions (`compute.instances.delete`, `storage.objects.delete`), which do not meet the 'no delete' requirement.
- B
Create custom roles with only the necessary permissions, excluding delete.
Correct. Custom roles allow you to grant only the specific permissions needed (e.g., compute.instances.get, storage.objects.get, etc.) without delete, ensuring least privilege.
- C
Use Cloud KMS to manage access.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Cloud KMS is used for encryption key management, not for IAM role assignment.
- D
Grant the primitive roles `roles/editor` and `roles/viewer`.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The primitive roles `roles/editor` and `roles/viewer` are too broad and grant permissions beyond the scope, including delete actions.
PCDE Least privilege Practice Question
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of bootstrapping a google cloud organisation for devops. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: least privilege. 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 wants to implement least-privilege IAM for their DevOps team. The team needs to manage Compute Engine instances and Cloud Storage buckets, but not delete resources. Which approach is recommended?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
Create custom roles with only the necessary permissions, excluding delete.
The requirement is to manage Compute Engine instances and Cloud Storage buckets without the ability to delete resources. Option A is incorrect because the predefined roles `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` and `roles/storage.objectAdmin` include delete permissions (`compute.instances.delete` and `storage.objects.delete`), which violate the least-privilege requirement. Option B is correct because creating custom roles allows you to explicitly grant only the necessary permissions, excluding delete actions, thus satisfying the constraint. Options C and D are incorrect: Cloud KMS is for key management, not IAM roles; primitive roles like `roles/editor` grant broad permissions including delete.
Key principle: Least privilege
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Grant predefined roles `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` and `roles/storage.objectAdmin`.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. These predefined roles include delete permissions (`compute.instances.delete`, `storage.objects.delete`), which do not meet the 'no delete' requirement.
- ✓
Create custom roles with only the necessary permissions, excluding delete.
Why this is correct
Correct. Custom roles allow you to grant only the specific permissions needed (e.g., compute.instances.get, storage.objects.get, etc.) without delete, ensuring least privilege.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Least privilege
- ✗
Use Cloud KMS to manage access.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Cloud KMS is used for encryption key management, not for IAM role assignment.
- ✗
Grant the primitive roles `roles/editor` and `roles/viewer`.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The primitive roles `roles/editor` and `roles/viewer` are too broad and grant permissions beyond the scope, including delete actions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common pitfall is assuming that all predefined roles automatically adhere to least-privilege principles. In this case, the seemingly appropriate predefined roles actually include delete permissions, so custom roles are the only way to meet the requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, predefined roles in Google Cloud are composed of granular permissions that map to specific API methods. For example, `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` includes `compute.instances.stop` and `compute.instances.start` but excludes `compute.instances.delete`. Similarly, `roles/storage.objectAdmin` includes `storage.objects.get` and `storage.objects.update` but not `storage.objects.delete` or `storage.buckets.delete`. This granularity ensures that DevOps teams can perform lifecycle management without the ability to remove resources, which is critical in production environments to prevent accidental data loss.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Least privilege
- Custom roles
- Predefined roles
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Least privilege
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 least privilege, then practise related PCDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps — This question tests Bootstrapping a Google Cloud Organisation for DevOps — Least privilege.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create custom roles with only the necessary permissions, excluding delete. — The requirement is to manage Compute Engine instances and Cloud Storage buckets without the ability to delete resources. Option A is incorrect because the predefined roles `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` and `roles/storage.objectAdmin` include delete permissions (`compute.instances.delete` and `storage.objects.delete`), which violate the least-privilege requirement. Option B is correct because creating custom roles allows you to explicitly grant only the necessary permissions, excluding delete actions, thus satisfying the constraint. Options C and D are incorrect: Cloud KMS is for key management, not IAM roles; primitive roles like `roles/editor` grant broad permissions including delete.
What should I do if I get this PCDE question wrong?
Review least privilege, then practise related PCDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Least privilege
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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