- A
Configure an organization policy to deny key creation if keys are older than 90 days.
Why wrong: Organization policies cannot enforce rotation or detect key age.
- B
Use Cloud Logging to analyze logs for key creation and compute age.
Why wrong: Logs show creation events but not current key age; would require complex logic.
- C
Use the IAM API to list service account keys and check the validAfterTime field.
The API returns key creation time, allowing programmatic detection.
- D
Create a custom IAM role that prevents using keys older than 90 days.
Why wrong: IAM roles cannot enforce key age restrictions.
- E
Use Cloud Asset Inventory to query service account keys and filter by creation time.
Cloud Asset Inventory can list all service account keys with metadata, including creation time.
PCSE Practice Question: Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access within a cloud solution environment. 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.
An organization has a requirement that all service account keys must be rotated every 90 days. The security engineer wants to automate the detection of keys older than 90 days. Which TWO methods can achieve this? (Choose 2)
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 the IAM API to list service account keys and check the validAfterTime field.
Option C is correct because the IAM API's `validAfterTime` field directly indicates when a service account key was created. By listing keys and comparing this timestamp to the current time, you can programmatically identify keys older than 90 days. This method is precise and does not rely on indirect log analysis or policy enforcement.
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.
- ✗
Configure an organization policy to deny key creation if keys are older than 90 days.
Why it's wrong here
Organization policies cannot enforce rotation or detect key age.
- ✗
Use Cloud Logging to analyze logs for key creation and compute age.
Why it's wrong here
Logs show creation events but not current key age; would require complex logic.
- ✓
Use the IAM API to list service account keys and check the validAfterTime field.
Why this is correct
The API returns key creation time, allowing programmatic detection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a custom IAM role that prevents using keys older than 90 days.
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles cannot enforce key age restrictions.
- ✓
Use Cloud Asset Inventory to query service account keys and filter by creation time.
Why this is correct
Cloud Asset Inventory can list all service account keys with metadata, including creation time.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse detection (audit) with enforcement (prevention). The question asks for detection of keys older than 90 days, not for policies to prevent their use or creation.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Logs show creation events but not current key age; would require complex logic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `validAfterTime` field in the IAM API's `ServiceAccountKey` object is set at key creation and cannot be modified, making it a reliable source for age calculation. Cloud Asset Inventory, as in option E, can query service account keys across projects and filter by `createTime`, which is equivalent to `validAfterTime`, enabling scalable detection. In practice, combining these methods with a scheduled Cloud Function or Cloud Scheduler job can automate key rotation alerts.
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?
Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment — This question tests Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the IAM API to list service account keys and check the validAfterTime field. — Option C is correct because the IAM API's `validAfterTime` field directly indicates when a service account key was created. By listing keys and comparing this timestamp to the current time, you can programmatically identify keys older than 90 days. This method is precise and does not rely on indirect log analysis or policy enforcement.
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: Jul 4, 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.
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