Google PCA Design for security and compliance Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of design for security and compliance. 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 financial services company must meet PCI DSS compliance requirements for a Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) cluster processing credit card data. Which TWO actions are required to help achieve PCI DSS compliance? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Shielded GKE nodes.
Options B and D are correct. Binary Authorization ensures only signed container images are deployed, meeting code integrity requirements. Shielded GKE nodes provide verifiable integrity of the node's boot and kernel, ensuring the underlying infrastructure is secure. Option A is wrong because GKE Dataplane V2 is a network policy enforcement mechanism but not a specific PCI DSS requirement. Option C is wrong because GKE Sandbox is for workload isolation but not explicitly required by PCI DSS. Option E is wrong because Cloud Audit Logs are already enabled by default and not an additional requirement.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable GKE Dataplane V2 for network policy enforcement.
Why it's wrong here
Dataplane V2 improves network policy performance but is not a PCI DSS requirement.
✓
Enable Shielded GKE nodes.
Why this is correct
Shielded nodes provide verifiable integrity of the node's boot and kernel, a PCI DSS requirement.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Configure Cloud Audit Logs for the cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Audit logs are enabled by default and do not require additional configuration for PCI DSS.
✗
Use GKE Sandbox for all untrusted workloads.
Why it's wrong here
Sandbox provides additional isolation but is not mandatory for PCI DSS.
✓
Enable Binary Authorization on the cluster.
Why this is correct
Binary Authorization ensures only trusted images are deployed, meeting change control and integrity requirements.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PCA question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related PCA questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Design for security and compliance — This question tests Design for security and compliance — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Shielded GKE nodes. — Options B and D are correct. Binary Authorization ensures only signed container images are deployed, meeting code integrity requirements. Shielded GKE nodes provide verifiable integrity of the node's boot and kernel, ensuring the underlying infrastructure is secure. Option A is wrong because GKE Dataplane V2 is a network policy enforcement mechanism but not a specific PCI DSS requirement. Option C is wrong because GKE Sandbox is for workload isolation but not explicitly required by PCI DSS. Option E is wrong because Cloud Audit Logs are already enabled by default and not an additional requirement.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related PCA questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Question Discussion
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