- A
Download the service account key JSON file and store it in the application's source code repository.
Why wrong: Storing credentials in source code is a critical security vulnerability — keys can be exposed via Git history, code review tools, or unauthorized access. Keys in source code should never be done.
- B
Attach the service account to the Compute Engine VM; the application obtains credentials automatically via the metadata server with no key files needed.
VM-attached service accounts provide credentials automatically via the GCE metadata server. No key files are created or stored. ADC discovers these credentials automatically.
- C
Grant all users the Storage Admin role so the application can access Cloud Storage through their credentials.
Why wrong: Applications should use service accounts, not user credentials. Granting users Storage Admin to enable application access is a misuse of IAM and violates least privilege.
- D
Create a shared service account key file accessible to all VMs via a Cloud Storage bucket.
Why wrong: Sharing a key file is a security risk — any principal with access to the bucket could use the key. VM-attached service accounts eliminate key sharing entirely.
Quick Answer
The most secure way to configure service account access is to attach the service account directly to the Compute Engine VM, allowing the application to obtain credentials automatically via the metadata server without any key files. This method is secure because the metadata server at 169.254.169.254 provides short-lived OAuth 2.0 tokens that are automatically rotated and scoped to the service account’s IAM roles, eliminating the risk of leaked or mismanaged long-lived key files. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this concept tests your understanding of identity-based access over credential-based access, often appearing in scenarios where secure service account authentication for Cloud Storage is required. A common trap is choosing to download a JSON key file, which introduces a persistent security vulnerability. Remember the memory tip: “No keys, no leaks—let the metadata server speak.”
Cloud Digital Leader Trust and security with Google Cloud Practice Question
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of trust and security with google cloud. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company uses service accounts to allow their application running on a Compute Engine VM to access Cloud Storage. Which is the most secure way to configure this service account access?
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
Attach the service account to the Compute Engine VM; the application obtains credentials automatically via the metadata server with no key files needed.
Option B is correct because attaching a service account to a Compute Engine VM allows the application to automatically obtain short-lived OAuth 2.0 access tokens from the instance metadata server (http://169.254.169.254). This eliminates the need to download, store, or manage any long-lived service account key files, which are a significant security risk. The metadata server provides credentials that are automatically rotated and scoped to the service account's IAM roles, making this the most secure method for accessing Cloud Storage from a VM.
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.
- ✗
Download the service account key JSON file and store it in the application's source code repository.
Why it's wrong here
Storing credentials in source code is a critical security vulnerability — keys can be exposed via Git history, code review tools, or unauthorized access. Keys in source code should never be done.
- ✓
Attach the service account to the Compute Engine VM; the application obtains credentials automatically via the metadata server with no key files needed.
Why this is correct
VM-attached service accounts provide credentials automatically via the GCE metadata server. No key files are created or stored. ADC discovers these credentials automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Grant all users the Storage Admin role so the application can access Cloud Storage through their credentials.
Why it's wrong here
Applications should use service accounts, not user credentials. Granting users Storage Admin to enable application access is a misuse of IAM and violates least privilege.
- ✗
Create a shared service account key file accessible to all VMs via a Cloud Storage bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Sharing a key file is a security risk — any principal with access to the bucket could use the key. VM-attached service accounts eliminate key sharing entirely.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that storing keys in a repository or bucket is acceptable for automation, but the trap here is that any long-lived key file, even if stored in a bucket, is less secure than the automatic, short-lived credentials provided by the Compute Engine metadata server.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Compute Engine metadata server exposes a service account token endpoint that returns OAuth 2.0 access tokens scoped to the attached service account's IAM roles. These tokens are automatically refreshed by the metadata server and are valid for a limited time (typically 1 hour), reducing the blast radius if a token is compromised. In a real-world scenario, if a VM is compromised, the attacker can only use the token until it expires, whereas a leaked service account key file remains valid until revoked, making the metadata server approach far more secure.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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 GCDL question test?
Trust and security with Google Cloud — This question tests Trust and security with Google Cloud — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach the service account to the Compute Engine VM; the application obtains credentials automatically via the metadata server with no key files needed. — Option B is correct because attaching a service account to a Compute Engine VM allows the application to automatically obtain short-lived OAuth 2.0 access tokens from the instance metadata server (http://169.254.169.254). This eliminates the need to download, store, or manage any long-lived service account key files, which are a significant security risk. The metadata server provides credentials that are automatically rotated and scoped to the service account's IAM roles, making this the most secure method for accessing Cloud Storage from a VM.
What should I do if I get this GCDL 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 11, 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.
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