- A
Enable automatic IAM database authentication for Cloud SQL.
Why wrong: IAM authentication controls database access but does not affect network security; the database still needs a private connection.
- B
Create a Cloud NAT gateway for outbound traffic from Cloud Run.
Why wrong: Cloud NAT is for outbound internet access, not for connecting to Cloud SQL privately.
- C
Use Cloud SQL Auth proxy within the Cloud Run container.
Why wrong: Cloud SQL Auth proxy requires a public IP on the instance, which contradicts the requirement of not being internet-accessible.
- D
Set Cloud SQL to have a private IP address only.
A private IP ensures the database is not exposed to the public internet, meeting the security requirement.
- E
Configure a VPC Serverless Access connector and attach it to the Cloud Run service.
The VPC connector enables Cloud Run to connect to private VPC resources, including Cloud SQL with private IP.
PCD Integrating Google Cloud services Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of integrating google cloud services. 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 company is deploying a containerized application on Cloud Run that needs to connect to a Cloud SQL (MySQL) database. The database must not be accessible from the public internet. Which two steps should the company take to secure the connection?
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
Set Cloud SQL to have a private IP address only.
Setting Cloud SQL to have a private IP address only (Option D) ensures the database is accessible only within the VPC network, not from the public internet. This eliminates exposure to external threats and is a fundamental security best practice for private database access.
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.
- ✗
Enable automatic IAM database authentication for Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
IAM authentication controls database access but does not affect network security; the database still needs a private connection.
- ✗
Create a Cloud NAT gateway for outbound traffic from Cloud Run.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT is for outbound internet access, not for connecting to Cloud SQL privately.
- ✗
Use Cloud SQL Auth proxy within the Cloud Run container.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL Auth proxy requires a public IP on the instance, which contradicts the requirement of not being internet-accessible.
- ✓
Set Cloud SQL to have a private IP address only.
Why this is correct
A private IP ensures the database is not exposed to the public internet, meeting the security requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Configure a VPC Serverless Access connector and attach it to the Cloud Run service.
Why this is correct
The VPC connector enables Cloud Run to connect to private VPC resources, including Cloud SQL with private IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think Cloud SQL Auth proxy alone is sufficient for security, but it does not prevent public internet access to the database; the proxy only encrypts the connection, while the database's IP address remains publicly reachable unless explicitly set to private.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL with a private IP uses an RFC 1918 address within a VPC, and traffic to it stays within Google's network, never traversing the public internet. The VPC Serverless Access connector (Option E) allows Cloud Run to reach that private IP by creating a bridge between the serverless environment and the VPC, using a regional managed proxy that handles routing and scaling. Together, these two steps ensure the database is both inaccessible from the internet and reachable by the Cloud Run service via a secure, private path.
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.
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 PCD question test?
Integrating Google Cloud services — This question tests Integrating Google Cloud services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set Cloud SQL to have a private IP address only. — Setting Cloud SQL to have a private IP address only (Option D) ensures the database is accessible only within the VPC network, not from the public internet. This eliminates exposure to external threats and is a fundamental security best practice for private database access.
What should I do if I get this PCD 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This PCD 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 PCD exam.
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