- A
Create a separate perimeter for each VM and use IAM conditions
Why wrong: Creating perimeters per VM is not scalable; IAM conditions are not sufficient to enforce network-level perimeters.
- B
Add the project to a perimeter and create an egress rule to allow access from authorized VMs
Why wrong: Egress rules control outbound traffic, not inbound. An ingress rule is needed.
- C
Add the project to a perimeter and set an ingress policy that allows access from the authorized VMs' service accounts
This correctly allows the VMs (via their service accounts) to access BigQuery within the perimeter.
- D
Use Cloud Armor to whitelist the VMs' IP addresses for BigQuery access
Why wrong: Cloud Armor protects HTTP(S) traffic, not BigQuery API access. VPC Service Controls are the appropriate tool.
Cloud Digital Leader Google Cloud Security Practice Question
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of google cloud 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 create a VPC Service Controls perimeter that prevents data exfiltration from a project containing sensitive data. The perimeter should allow BigQuery datasets in the project to be accessed only from authorized VMs within the same perimeter. Which step is essential?
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
Add the project to a perimeter and set an ingress policy that allows access from the authorized VMs' service accounts
VPC Service Controls use perimeters to restrict access to Google-managed services. To allow access only from authorized VMs, you must create an ingress policy that specifies the source VPC network and the allowed identities (e.g., service accounts of the VMs). Simply adding the project to a perimeter blocks all external access; an ingress rule is needed to grant access from the specified VMs.
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.
- ✗
Create a separate perimeter for each VM and use IAM conditions
Why it's wrong here
Creating perimeters per VM is not scalable; IAM conditions are not sufficient to enforce network-level perimeters.
- ✗
Add the project to a perimeter and create an egress rule to allow access from authorized VMs
Why it's wrong here
Egress rules control outbound traffic, not inbound. An ingress rule is needed.
- ✓
Add the project to a perimeter and set an ingress policy that allows access from the authorized VMs' service accounts
Why this is correct
This correctly allows the VMs (via their service accounts) to access BigQuery within the perimeter.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Cloud Armor to whitelist the VMs' IP addresses for BigQuery access
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Armor protects HTTP(S) traffic, not BigQuery API access. VPC Service Controls are the appropriate tool.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Google Cloud Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Google Cloud Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All GCDL questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Cloud Digital Leader study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
GCDL practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related GCDL practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Why Cloud Technology Can Transform Business practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Why Cloud Technology Can Transform Business.
Fundamental Cloud Concepts practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Fundamental Cloud Concepts.
Google Cloud Security practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Google Cloud Security.
How Google Cloud Resources Are Managed practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to How Google Cloud Resources Are Managed.
Google Cloud Products and Services practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Google Cloud Products and Services.
Why cloud technology is transforming business practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Why cloud technology is transforming business.
Google Cloud products, services, and solutions practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Google Cloud products, services, and solutions.
Scaling with Google Cloud operations practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Scaling with Google Cloud operations.
Trust and security with Google Cloud practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Trust and security with Google Cloud.
GCDL fundamentals practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to GCDL fundamentals.
GCDL scenario practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to GCDL scenario.
GCDL troubleshooting practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to GCDL troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free GCDL practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Google Cloud Security — This question tests Google Cloud Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add the project to a perimeter and set an ingress policy that allows access from the authorized VMs' service accounts — VPC Service Controls use perimeters to restrict access to Google-managed services. To allow access only from authorized VMs, you must create an ingress policy that specifies the source VPC network and the allowed identities (e.g., service accounts of the VMs). Simply adding the project to a perimeter blocks all external access; an ingress rule is needed to grant access from the specified VMs.
What should I do if I get this GCDL question wrong?
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This GCDL 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 GCDL exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.