- A
Create a rule with priority 1000 to allow all traffic, and a rule with priority 100 to deny the IP range
Why wrong: The deny rule should have higher priority (lower number) to block before the allow rule.
- B
Create a single rule with the IP range and action 'deny'
Why wrong: A single rule only blocks the IP range; all other traffic is implicitly denied unless there is an allow rule.
- C
Create a rule with priority 100 to deny the IP range, and a rule with priority 1000 to allow all traffic
The deny rule with lower priority number is evaluated first, blocking the IP range, then the allow rule permits everything else.
- D
Create a rule with priority 1000 to deny the IP range, and no allow rule
Why wrong: Without an allow rule, all traffic is denied by default, which is not the requirement.
Google PCA Designing for Security and Compliance Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of designing for security and compliance. 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.
An engineer is configuring Cloud Armor security policies for an HTTPS Load Balancer. They want to block requests from a specific IP range but allow all other traffic. What is the correct way to configure this?
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
Create a rule with priority 100 to deny the IP range, and a rule with priority 1000 to allow all traffic
Cloud Armor security policies use rules with a 'deny' action for blocking and 'allow' for permitting. Rules are evaluated in order of priority, with lower numbers having higher priority.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 rule with priority 1000 to allow all traffic, and a rule with priority 100 to deny the IP range
Why it's wrong here
The deny rule should have higher priority (lower number) to block before the allow rule.
- ✗
Create a single rule with the IP range and action 'deny'
Why it's wrong here
A single rule only blocks the IP range; all other traffic is implicitly denied unless there is an allow rule.
- ✓
Create a rule with priority 100 to deny the IP range, and a rule with priority 1000 to allow all traffic
Why this is correct
The deny rule with lower priority number is evaluated first, blocking the IP range, then the allow rule permits everything else.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Create a rule with priority 1000 to deny the IP range, and no allow rule
Why it's wrong here
Without an allow rule, all traffic is denied by default, which is not the requirement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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. ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement. 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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCA ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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Designing for Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Designing for Security and Compliance — This question tests Designing for Security and Compliance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a rule with priority 100 to deny the IP range, and a rule with priority 1000 to allow all traffic — Cloud Armor security policies use rules with a 'deny' action for blocking and 'allow' for permitting. Rules are evaluated in order of priority, with lower numbers having higher priority.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCA ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCA 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 PCA exam.
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