The answer is to use Workload Identity to bind Kubernetes service accounts to IAM service accounts and to implement Binary Authorization to enforce that only signed container images are deployed. Workload Identity is correct because it eliminates the need to manage long-lived service account keys by allowing GKE workloads to authenticate directly as IAM service accounts, thereby following the principle of least privilege and simplifying credential rotation. Binary Authorization secures the software supply chain by ensuring that only images signed by trusted authorities, such as those from a verified CI/CD pipeline, are admitted into the cluster, integrating with Google Cloud’s Attestation Authority to enforce policy before deployment. On the Google Professional Cloud Architect exam, this pairing tests your understanding of identity-based access control versus artifact-level security; a common trap is confusing Workload Identity with static key management or assuming Binary Authorization only applies to public images. Remember the mnemonic “Bind and Sign” — Workload Identity binds identities, Binary Authorization signs images.
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.
Which TWO are recommended practices for securing a Kubernetes Engine (GKE) cluster?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Binary Authorization to ensure only signed container images are deployed.
Option B is correct because Binary Authorization enforces that only container images signed by trusted authorities (e.g., during a CI/CD pipeline) can be deployed to the cluster. This integrates with Google Cloud's Attestation Authority and ensures supply chain security by verifying signatures against a policy before admission.
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.
✗
Disable HTTP load balancing to reduce attack surface.
Enable Binary Authorization to ensure only signed container images are deployed.
Why this is correct
Binary Authorization enforces deployment of trusted images.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use the default Compute Engine service account for all GKE nodes.
Why it's wrong here
Default service accounts have broad permissions; use least-privilege custom service accounts.
✓
Use Workload Identity to bind Kubernetes service accounts to IAM service accounts.
Why this is correct
Workload Identity allows fine-grained access control for pods.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable basic authentication for easier access management.
Why it's wrong here
Basic authentication is insecure; use OAuth2 or OIDC.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that disabling features like HTTPload balancing is a security best practice, when in reality it breaks functionality and security should be layered (e.g., using HTTPS, IAP, or network policies) rather than removing features.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Binary Authorization works by integrating with GKE's admission controller; when a pod is created, the kube-apiserver calls the Binary Authorization API to check if the image's digest has a valid attestation from a trusted authority. Under the hood, it uses the Grafeas metadata API to store attestations and supports break-glass policies for emergencies. In a real-world scenario, a compromised CI/CD pipeline could push a malicious image, but Binary Authorization would block it if the image lacks a valid signature from the authorized signer.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PCA question in full detail.
Design for security and compliance — This question tests Design for security and compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Binary Authorization to ensure only signed container images are deployed. — Option B is correct because Binary Authorization enforces that only container images signed by trusted authorities (e.g., during a CI/CD pipeline) can be deployed to the cluster. This integrates with Google Cloud's Attestation Authority and ensures supply chain security by verifying signatures against a policy before admission.
What should I do if I get this PCA 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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Question Discussion
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