The answer is the Cloud SQL Viewer role (roles/cloudsql.viewer). This predefined IAM role is the most appropriate because it grants read-only permissions to view Cloud SQL instance details and connection strings, while explicitly preventing any create, delete, or modify operations. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this question tests your ability to match specific access requirements—like read-only visibility for troubleshooting or monitoring—to the correct least-privilege role, often contrasting it with broader roles like Cloud SQL Client or Editor. A common trap is confusing Viewer with Client, but remember that Client includes connect permissions for database access, whereas Viewer strictly limits you to viewing instance metadata and connection strings without any ability to alter the resource. A simple memory tip: Viewer is for “looking only,” Client is for “connecting only,” and Editor is for “changing everything.”
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 team wants to grant three developers access to view Cloud SQL instance details and connection strings, but not create, delete, or modify any Cloud SQL instances. Which predefined IAM role is the most appropriate?
Why wrong: Cloud SQL Editor allows creating, editing, and deleting instances — far more than the read-only access needed.
B
Cloud SQL Client
Why wrong: Cloud SQL Client grants permission to connect to Cloud SQL databases — it doesn't provide access to view instance configuration details in the Console.
C
Cloud SQL Viewer
Cloud SQL Viewer (roles/cloudsql.viewer) grants read-only access to Cloud SQL instance details, settings, and connection information without any modification rights.
D
Project Viewer
Why wrong: Project Viewer grants read access to all project resources — it's broader than needed and violates the principle of least privilege.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cloud SQL Viewer
The Cloud SQL Viewer role (roles/cloudsql.viewer) grants read-only permissions to view Cloud SQL instance details, including connection strings, without allowing any create, delete, or modify operations. This matches the requirement precisely, as it provides the necessary visibility while preventing any changes to the instances.
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.
✗
Cloud SQL Editor
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL Editor allows creating, editing, and deleting instances — far more than the read-only access needed.
✗
Cloud SQL Client
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL Client grants permission to connect to Cloud SQL databases — it doesn't provide access to view instance configuration details in the Console.
✓
Cloud SQL Viewer
Why this is correct
Cloud SQL Viewer (roles/cloudsql.viewer) grants read-only access to Cloud SQL instance details, settings, and connection information without any modification rights.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Project Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Project Viewer grants read access to all project resources — it's broader than needed and violates the principle of least privilege.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between roles that grant operational access (like Cloud SQL Client) versus read-only access (like Cloud SQL Viewer), and the trap here is that candidates may confuse 'Client' with 'Viewer' because both sound like they provide access, but only Viewer grants the ability to see instance details and connection strings without modification permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Cloud SQL Viewer role includes permissions such as cloudsql.instances.get and cloudsql.instances.list, which allow retrieval of instance configuration and connection details via the Cloud SQL Admin API. Under the hood, these permissions map to specific REST API methods (e.g., GET /v1/projects/{project}/instances/{instance}) and are enforced by IAM policy evaluation at the resource level. In a real-world scenario, granting Cloud SQL Viewer to developers enables them to retrieve connection strings for use in application configuration without risking accidental deletion or modification of production instances.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this ACE question in full detail.
Configuring access and security — This question tests Configuring access and security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cloud SQL Viewer — The Cloud SQL Viewer role (roles/cloudsql.viewer) grants read-only permissions to view Cloud SQL instance details, including connection strings, without allowing any create, delete, or modify operations. This matches the requirement precisely, as it provides the necessary visibility while preventing any changes to the instances.
What should I do if I get this ACE 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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Question Discussion
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