- A
A firewall rule allowing egress to 0.0.0.0/0.
Why wrong: Firewall rules control traffic, but Private Google Access requires subnet configuration.
- B
VPC Flow Logs on the subnet.
Why wrong: Flow Logs monitor traffic, but don't enable Private Google Access.
- C
Cloud NAT on the VPC.
Why wrong: Cloud NAT enables outbound internet access, but Private Google Access is a subnet-level setting.
- D
Private Google Access on the subnet.
Enabling Private Google Access on the subnet allows VMs to reach Google APIs without external IPs.
Google ACE Configuring Access and Security Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access and security. 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 security engineer needs to ensure that all VMs in a subnet use Private Google Access to reach Google APIs without external IP addresses. What must be enabled?
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
Private Google Access on the subnet.
Private Google Access on a subnet allows VMs with only internal IP addresses to reach Google APIs and services through the default internet gateway.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A firewall rule allowing egress to 0.0.0.0/0.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules control traffic, but Private Google Access requires subnet configuration.
- ✗
VPC Flow Logs on the subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Flow Logs monitor traffic, but don't enable Private Google Access.
- ✗
Cloud NAT on the VPC.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT enables outbound internet access, but Private Google Access is a subnet-level setting.
- ✓
Private Google Access on the subnet.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ACE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Configuring Access and Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Configuring Access and Security — This question tests Configuring Access and Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Private Google Access on the subnet. — Private Google Access on a subnet allows VMs with only internal IP addresses to reach Google APIs and services through the default internet gateway.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ACE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This ACE 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 ACE exam.
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