- A
Define an access level that includes the analysts' identities or IPs
Access levels are used in ingress rules to specify who is allowed to cross the perimeter.
- B
Create an egress rule in the service perimeter that allows the analysts to leave the perimeter
Why wrong: Egress rules are for traffic leaving the perimeter, not inbound access.
- C
Assign the analysts the roles/bigquery.user role
Why wrong: IAM roles control permissions but do not bypass VPC Service Controls; they are still needed but not sufficient.
- D
Enable dry-run mode on the perimeter
Why wrong: Dry-run mode is for testing violations without enforcement, not for allowing access.
- E
Create an ingress rule in the service perimeter that allows the analysts' identities or IPs to access BigQuery
Ingress rules allow traffic from outside the perimeter to access specific services.
PCSE Configuring Network Security Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network security. 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.
An organization wants to use VPC Service Controls to protect BigQuery data. They need to allow a group of data analysts to access BigQuery from outside the perimeter (e.g., from their laptops) while maintaining the perimeter for all other users. Which TWO configurations are necessary?
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
Define an access level that includes the analysts' identities or IPs
To allow specific users to access a service from outside the perimeter, you must create an access level that identifies those users (e.g., by IP range or device) and then create an ingress rule that permits traffic from that access level to BigQuery. The access level can be based on user identity (e.g., via BeyondCorp) or IP ranges.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Define an access level that includes the analysts' identities or IPs
Why this is correct
Access levels are used in ingress rules to specify who is allowed to cross the perimeter.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Create an egress rule in the service perimeter that allows the analysts to leave the perimeter
Why it's wrong here
Egress rules are for traffic leaving the perimeter, not inbound access.
- ✗
Assign the analysts the roles/bigquery.user role
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles control permissions but do not bypass VPC Service Controls; they are still needed but not sufficient.
- ✗
Enable dry-run mode on the perimeter
Why it's wrong here
Dry-run mode is for testing violations without enforcement, not for allowing access.
- ✓
Create an ingress rule in the service perimeter that allows the analysts' identities or IPs to access BigQuery
Why this is correct
Ingress rules allow traffic from outside the perimeter to access specific services.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Configuring Network Security — This question tests Configuring Network Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Define an access level that includes the analysts' identities or IPs — To allow specific users to access a service from outside the perimeter, you must create an access level that identifies those users (e.g., by IP range or device) and then create an ingress rule that permits traffic from that access level to BigQuery. The access level can be based on user identity (e.g., via BeyondCorp) or IP ranges.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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