- A
Use Cloud Asset Inventory to scan for changes daily.
Why wrong: Cloud Asset Inventory provides snapshots, not a continuous log of changes.
- B
Configure a Cloud Monitoring alert for IAM policy changes.
Why wrong: Monitoring alerts are not logs; they are notifications based on metrics.
- C
Enable Data Access audit logs for all services.
Why wrong: Data Access logs capture read/write events, not administrative changes to IAM.
- D
Use Admin Activity audit logs, which are enabled by default.
Admin Activity logs record all changes to IAM policies and other configuration changes.
Question 58 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Logging IAM Policy Changes with Admin Activity Audit Logs
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of admin activity audit logs. 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: admin Activity audit logs. 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 needs to meet SOC 2 requirements for change management. They want to log all changes to IAM policies in their Google Cloud organization. What should they do?
Quick Answer
The answer is to use Admin Activity audit logs, which are enabled by default. These logs capture all changes to IAM policies, including modifications to roles, bindings, and permissions, making them the correct choice for logging IAM policy changes with Admin Activity audit logs for SOC 2 change management requirements. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this tests your understanding of Cloud Audit Logs categories and their specific use cases; a common trap is confusing Admin Activity logs with Data Access logs, which only record read and write operations on user data, not administrative changes. Another frequent mistake is assuming Cloud Monitoring or Cloud Asset Inventory can serve as a real-time change log, but they lack the granular, event-driven capture of IAM policy modifications. Memory tip: think “Admin = Authority” — any change to who has authority (IAM policies) is always an Admin Activity log event.
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
✓
Use Admin Activity audit logs, which are enabled by default.
Option D is correct because Admin Activity audit logs capture all IAM policy changes by default, meeting the SOC 2 change management requirement. Option A is wrong because Cloud Asset Inventory provides a snapshot of resources but does not log changes in real-time. Option B is wrong because Cloud Monitoring alerts on metrics, not logs. Option C is wrong because Data Access audit logs are for user data access, not admin changes.
Key principle: Admin Activity audit logs
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use Cloud Asset Inventory to scan for changes daily.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Asset Inventory provides snapshots, not a continuous log of changes.
- ✗
Configure a Cloud Monitoring alert for IAM policy changes.
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring alerts are not logs; they are notifications based on metrics.
- ✗
Enable Data Access audit logs for all services.
Why it's wrong here
Data Access logs capture read/write events, not administrative changes to IAM.
- ✓
Use Admin Activity audit logs, which are enabled by default.
Why this is correct
Admin Activity logs record all changes to IAM policies and other configuration changes.
Related concept
Admin Activity audit logs
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Admin Activity audit logs
- Data Access audit logs
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
Admin Activity audit logs
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 admin Activity audit logs, then practise related PCSE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Admin Activity audit logs
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Admin Activity audit logs, which are enabled by default. — Option D is correct because Admin Activity audit logs capture all IAM policy changes by default, meeting the SOC 2 change management requirement. Option A is wrong because Cloud Asset Inventory provides a snapshot of resources but does not log changes in real-time. Option B is wrong because Cloud Monitoring alerts on metrics, not logs. Option C is wrong because Data Access audit logs are for user data access, not admin changes.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review admin Activity audit logs, then practise related PCSE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Admin Activity audit logs
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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