- A
roles/cloudsql.viewer
Why wrong: Read-only access, cannot delete.
- B
roles/cloudsql.editor
Why wrong: Allows create, modify, and delete instances.
- C
roles/cloudsql.admin
Why wrong: Grants full access to Cloud SQL instances.
- D
Use a custom role with only cloudsql.instances.delete permission.
A custom role with this single permission meets the requirement exactly.
Question 723 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Custom Role with Only cloudsql.instances.delete
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of pcse exam topics. 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. 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.
A company wants to grant a user the ability to delete a Cloud SQL instance but not be able to modify any other settings. What is the least privileged role?
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.
Quick Answer
The answer is a custom role with only the cloudsql.instances.delete permission. This is the least privileged role because it grants the exact action needed—deleting a Cloud SQL instance—without exposing any broader capabilities like modifying configurations, creating backups, or accessing data. Predefined roles such as Cloud SQL Admin or Editor include permissions like cloudsql.instances.update or cloudsql.databases.create, which would allow unintended modifications and violate the principle of least privilege. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of IAM custom roles and permission granularity, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose a predefined role like Cloud SQL Viewer or Editor. The key insight is that only a custom role can isolate a single permission, and the permission name itself—cloudsql.instances.delete—is the exact string you must specify. Memory tip: think “delete only, no edit” to remember that the permission ends with “.delete” and excludes any “.update” or “.create” permissions.
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 a custom role with only cloudsql.instances.delete permission.
Option D is correct because the least privileged role that allows deleting a Cloud SQL instance without granting any other permissions is a custom role containing only the `cloudsql.instances.delete` permission. Predefined roles like viewer, editor, or admin include broader permissions that would allow modifying other settings, violating the principle of least privilege.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
roles/cloudsql.viewer
Why it's wrong here
Read-only access, cannot delete.
- ✗
roles/cloudsql.editor
Why it's wrong here
Allows create, modify, and delete instances.
- ✗
roles/cloudsql.admin
Why it's wrong here
Grants full access to Cloud SQL instances.
- ✓
Use a custom role with only cloudsql.instances.delete permission.
Why this is correct
A custom role with this single permission meets the requirement exactly.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume a predefined role like `roles/cloudsql.editor` is the least privileged because it includes delete, but they overlook that it also grants modify permissions, which violates the 'least privileged' requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Google Cloud IAM, predefined roles aggregate multiple permissions; for example, `roles/cloudsql.editor` includes `cloudsql.instances.update`, `cloudsql.instances.delete`, and `cloudsql.instances.create`. A custom role scoped to only `cloudsql.instances.delete` ensures the user cannot modify settings like database flags, maintenance windows, or backup configurations. This aligns with the principle of least privilege, where permissions are granted at the most granular level possible, often using custom roles for specific operational tasks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Related practice questions
Related PCSE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment.
Ensuring Data Protection practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Ensuring Data Protection.
Managing Operations in a Cloud Solution Environment practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Managing Operations in a Cloud Solution Environment.
Configuring Network Security practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Configuring Network Security.
Supporting Compliance Requirements practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Supporting Compliance Requirements.
PCSE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE fundamentals.
PCSE scenario practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE scenario.
PCSE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCSE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a custom role with only cloudsql.instances.delete permission. — Option D is correct because the least privileged role that allows deleting a Cloud SQL instance without granting any other permissions is a custom role containing only the `cloudsql.instances.delete` permission. Predefined roles like viewer, editor, or admin include broader permissions that would allow modifying other settings, violating the principle of least privilege.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More PCSE practice questions
- Match each encryption scope to its description.
- Drag and drop the steps to set up a Private Google Access for on-premises hosts using Private Service Connect in the cor…
- A company is designing a CI/CD pipeline using Cloud Build. Security requirements mandate that the pipeline deploy only t…
- A company must implement data residency requirements that prohibit storing data outside the European Union. They are usi…
- A company wants to allow employees to access a web application running on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) using their cor…
- A company is deploying a multi-tier application on Google Cloud. The web tier must be accessible from the internet, whil…
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.