PCSE Practice Question: Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment
A company wants to allow their on-premises Active Directory users to access Google Cloud resources using their existing credentials. They need to synchronize user accounts and groups to Google Cloud Directory and enable federated authentication. Which TWO services 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
✓
Cloud Directory Sync (CDS)
Cloud Directory Sync (CDS) synchronizes users and groups from Active Directory to Google Cloud Directory. SAML 2.0 federation with Google Workspace or Cloud Identity enables SSO using existing AD credentials.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Workload Identity Federation
Why it's wrong here
WIF is for non-human identities accessing GCP resources, not for user authentication.
- ✗
Identity-Aware Proxy
Why it's wrong here
IAP provides access control to applications, not directory synchronization.
- ✗
OAuth 2.0 consent screen
Why it's wrong here
OAuth consent screen is for GCP API access, not for AD sync.
- ✓
Cloud Directory Sync (CDS)
Why this is correct
CDS syncs AD objects to Google Cloud Directory.
- ✓
SAML 2.0 SSO with Cloud Identity
Why this is correct
SAML 2.0 provides federated authentication for users.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCSE 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 PCSE exam.