- A
roles/compute.viewer
Why wrong: Incorrect: Allows only read/ view permissions, not start or stop instances.
- B
roles/iam.serviceAccountUser
Why wrong: Incorrect: Grants service account user permissions, not Compute Engine instance operations.
- C
roles/compute.admin
Why wrong: Incorrect: Provides full control, including delete and network modifications, which violates the requirements.
- D
roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1
Incorrect: Includes compute.instances.delete, which violates the 'should not be able to delete' requirement.
Question 633 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1 for Operational Instance Management
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of pcse exam topics. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 developer needs to create and manage Compute Engine instances in a project. They require the ability to start, stop, and view instances, but should not be able to delete or modify network configurations. Which predefined role should be assigned?
Quick Answer
The answer is `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1`. This predefined role is the correct choice because it grants the specific permissions needed to start, stop, and view Compute Engine instances while explicitly excluding destructive actions like deleting instances or modifying network configurations. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this question tests your understanding of the principle of least privilege, where you must match a role’s granular permissions to a user’s operational needs without granting broader administrative access. A common trap is confusing this role with `roles/compute.admin`, which includes delete and network modification rights, or with `roles/compute.viewer`, which only allows viewing. For a developer who needs to manage instance lifecycle but not infrastructure, `instanceAdmin.v1` is the precise fit. Memory tip: think “v1” as “view, start, stop” — the three actions it safely permits.
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
✓
roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1
None of the predefined roles listed meet all requirements. The scenario requires the ability to start, stop, and view instances without deleting or modifying network configurations. `roles/compute.viewer` (A) allows viewing but not starting/stopping; `roles/iam.serviceAccountUser` (B) is unrelated; `roles/compute.admin` (C) includes delete and network modification; `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` (D) includes delete. Therefore, a custom role with specific permissions (e.g., compute.instances.start, stop, get, list) would be needed instead of a predefined role.
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/compute.viewer
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Allows only read/ view permissions, not start or stop instances.
- ✗
roles/iam.serviceAccountUser
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Grants service account user permissions, not Compute Engine instance operations.
- ✗
roles/compute.admin
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Provides full control, including delete and network modifications, which violates the requirements.
- ✓
roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1
Why this is correct
Incorrect: Includes compute.instances.delete, which violates the 'should not be able to delete' requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` and `roles/compute.admin`, where candidates mistakenly choose the admin role for operational tasks, overlooking the fact that admin includes destructive permissions like deletion and network modification.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` role includes permissions such as `compute.instances.start`, `compute.instances.stop`, and `compute.instances.list`, but notably excludes `compute.instances.delete` and `compute.networks.update`. This role is part of Google Cloud's IAM predefined roles, which are curated sets of permissions that follow the principle of least privilege. In a real-world scenario, a DevOps engineer might be assigned this role to manage instance lifecycle during deployments without risking accidental deletion or network misconfiguration.
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.
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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: roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1 — None of the predefined roles listed meet all requirements. The scenario requires the ability to start, stop, and view instances without deleting or modifying network configurations. `roles/compute.viewer` (A) allows viewing but not starting/stopping; `roles/iam.serviceAccountUser` (B) is unrelated; `roles/compute.admin` (C) includes delete and network modification; `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` (D) includes delete. Therefore, a custom role with specific permissions (e.g., compute.instances.start, stop, get, list) would be needed instead of a predefined role.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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