- A
Rely on database administrators to manually enable SSL on each new Cloud SQL instance
Why wrong: Manual enforcement doesn't scale, introduces human error, and cannot guarantee compliance across all projects in a large organization.
- B
Use Security Command Center to detect SSL-disabled instances and alert the team
Why wrong: SCC provides reactive detection — it alerts after a non-compliant instance is created. Preventive enforcement via organization policy is preferred.
- C
Set a Cloud Monitoring alert for new Cloud SQL instances and auto-remediate via Cloud Functions
Why wrong: Auto-remediation via Cloud Functions adds complexity and introduces a window of non-compliance between creation and remediation. Organization policies prevent non-compliant resources from being created.
- D
Apply the org policy constraint `constraints/sql.requireSsl` at the organization level to enforce SSL on all Cloud SQL instances
The `constraints/sql.requireSsl` organization policy constraint prevents Cloud SQL instances from being created or modified to allow non-SSL connections — enforced across all projects automatically.
Quick Answer
The answer is to apply the organization policy constraint `constraints/sql.requireSsl` at the organization level. This is correct because it is a native, enforceable policy that, once set, prevents the creation of any Cloud SQL instance without SSL/TLS and blocks any attempt to disable SSL on existing instances, ensuring 100% compliance across all projects without manual intervention. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this tests your understanding of organization policies versus other controls like VPC Service Controls or IAM, which cannot enforce SSL requirements directly. A common trap is confusing this with a detection-only tool like Cloud Audit Logs or a scripted solution—remember, only a hard constraint enforces a mandatory rule. Memory tip: think “SQL SSL = single policy, no exceptions.”
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 GCP organization mandates that all new Cloud SQL instances must require SSL/TLS for connections. No exceptions are allowed. Which enforcement mechanism ensures this across all projects in the organization?
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
Apply the org policy constraint `constraints/sql.requireSsl` at the organization level to enforce SSL on all Cloud SQL instances
Option D is correct because the organization policy constraint `constraints/sql.requireSsl` is a native, enforceable policy that can be applied at the organization level in GCP. Once set, it prevents the creation of any Cloud SQL instance that does not require SSL/TLS, and it also blocks any attempt to disable SSL on existing instances. This ensures 100% compliance across all projects without relying on manual intervention or reactive detection.
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.
- ✗
Rely on database administrators to manually enable SSL on each new Cloud SQL instance
Why it's wrong here
Manual enforcement doesn't scale, introduces human error, and cannot guarantee compliance across all projects in a large organization.
- ✗
Use Security Command Center to detect SSL-disabled instances and alert the team
Why it's wrong here
SCC provides reactive detection — it alerts after a non-compliant instance is created. Preventive enforcement via organization policy is preferred.
- ✗
Set a Cloud Monitoring alert for new Cloud SQL instances and auto-remediate via Cloud Functions
Why it's wrong here
Auto-remediation via Cloud Functions adds complexity and introduces a window of non-compliance between creation and remediation. Organization policies prevent non-compliant resources from being created.
- ✓
Apply the org policy constraint `constraints/sql.requireSsl` at the organization level to enforce SSL on all Cloud SQL instances
Why this is correct
The `constraints/sql.requireSsl` organization policy constraint prevents Cloud SQL instances from being created or modified to allow non-SSL connections — enforced across all projects automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between preventive controls (org policies) and detective/reactive controls (Security Command Center, Cloud Monitoring), and the trap here is that candidates choose a reactive option (B or C) thinking it 'enforces' compliance, when only a preventive org policy can block non-compliant resource creation entirely.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `constraints/sql.requireSsl` org policy constraint uses a boolean condition that, when set to `True`, enforces TLS 1.2+ for all client connections to Cloud SQL instances. Under the hood, GCP's Resource Manager evaluates this policy at resource creation time, and the Cloud SQL API will reject any create or update request that sets the `requireSsl` flag to `false`. In a real-world scenario, this is critical for meeting compliance frameworks like PCI DSS or HIPAA, where encryption in transit is mandatory and must be enforced at the infrastructure level.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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?
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: Apply the org policy constraint `constraints/sql.requireSsl` at the organization level to enforce SSL on all Cloud SQL instances — Option D is correct because the organization policy constraint `constraints/sql.requireSsl` is a native, enforceable policy that can be applied at the organization level in GCP. Once set, it prevents the creation of any Cloud SQL instance that does not require SSL/TLS, and it also blocks any attempt to disable SSL on existing instances. This ensures 100% compliance across all projects without relying on manual intervention or reactive detection.
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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