- A
Manually enable the API in each of the 150 projects via the Cloud Console
Why wrong: Manual enablement across 150 projects is error-prone and takes hours — automation is required.
- B
Use a gcloud script to iterate over all projects and enable the API for each
Scripting with `gcloud projects list | xargs` or Terraform with `google_project_service` for each project enables the API across all 150 projects efficiently and repeatably.
- C
Enable the API at the organization level — it inherits down to all projects
Why wrong: API enablement is per-project — there is no organization-level API enablement that cascades to all projects.
- D
Create an organization policy enabling all APIs on all projects
Why wrong: Organization policies don't enable specific APIs — they restrict resource configurations. API enablement must be done per-project.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use a gcloud script that iterates over all projects and enables the API for each one. This is the most efficient approach because the gcloud command-line tool, specifically `gcloud services enable securitycenter.googleapis.com --project=<project_id>`, leverages the Service Usage API programmatically, allowing you to automate the task across all 150 projects without manual intervention. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply Infrastructure as Code principles and scripting for bulk operations, a common trap being the temptation to use the Cloud Console or a single project-level command, which would be impractical at scale. To enable API across all projects efficiently, remember that the Cloud SDK is designed for automation, and a simple loop in a shell script is the fastest path. Memory tip: think "loop and enable" — a for-loop over your project list with `gcloud services enable` is your go-to for bulk API activation.
Google ACE Setting up a cloud solution environment Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of setting up 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.
A GCP organization has 150 projects. A new security policy requires all projects to enable the Security Command Center API. What is the most efficient way to enable this API across all projects without manually visiting each project?
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 a gcloud script to iterate over all projects and enable the API for each
Option B is correct because the gcloud command-line tool allows you to script the enabling of the Security Command Center API across all projects efficiently. Using `gcloud services enable securitycenter.googleapis.com --project=<project_id>` in a loop over the list of projects automates the task without manual intervention, leveraging the Cloud SDK's programmatic access to the Service Usage API.
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.
- ✗
Manually enable the API in each of the 150 projects via the Cloud Console
Why it's wrong here
Manual enablement across 150 projects is error-prone and takes hours — automation is required.
- ✓
Use a gcloud script to iterate over all projects and enable the API for each
Why this is correct
Scripting with `gcloud projects list | xargs` or Terraform with `google_project_service` for each project enables the API across all 150 projects efficiently and repeatably.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable the API at the organization level — it inherits down to all projects
Why it's wrong here
API enablement is per-project — there is no organization-level API enablement that cascades to all projects.
- ✗
Create an organization policy enabling all APIs on all projects
Why it's wrong here
Organization policies don't enable specific APIs — they restrict resource configurations. API enablement must be done per-project.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that organization-level settings automatically propagate API enablement to all projects, but in GCP, APIs must be explicitly enabled per project, and organization policies only enforce constraints, not service activation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Service Usage API (services.googleapis.com) is the underlying mechanism for enabling and disabling APIs on a per-project basis. When using gcloud, the command `gcloud services enable` sends a POST request to the Service Usage API's `services.enable` method, which updates the project's service configuration in real time. In large-scale environments, this script can be combined with `gcloud projects list` and parallelized using tools like `xargs` or `parallel` to handle hundreds of projects efficiently, avoiding API rate limits by adding small delays.
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 ACE question test?
Setting up a cloud solution environment — This question tests Setting up 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 a gcloud script to iterate over all projects and enable the API for each — Option B is correct because the gcloud command-line tool allows you to script the enabling of the Security Command Center API across all projects efficiently. Using `gcloud services enable securitycenter.googleapis.com --project=<project_id>` in a loop over the list of projects automates the task without manual intervention, leveraging the Cloud SDK's programmatic access to the Service Usage API.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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