- A
Cloud Deploy and Cloud Run
Why wrong: Cloud Deploy orchestrates deployments, Cloud Run runs containers, but they don't enforce signing/scanning.
- B
Cloud Build and Artifact Registry
Why wrong: Cloud Build builds images, Artifact Registry stores them, but neither enforces deployment policies.
- C
Binary Authorization and Container Scanning API
Binary Authorization enforces signing; Container Analysis provides vulnerability scanning.
- D
Security Command Center and Cloud Asset Inventory
Why wrong: These are for security management and asset tracking, not deployment enforcement.
PCDE Practice Question: Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of building and implementing ci/cd pipelines for a service. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 organization uses Artifact Registry to store Docker images. They want to enforce that only images that have passed vulnerability scanning and are signed can be deployed to GKE. Which two services should they use together?
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
Binary Authorization and Container Scanning API
Binary Authorization enforces that only signed and verified container images can be deployed to GKE, while the Container Scanning API (now part of Artifact Analysis) performs vulnerability scanning on images stored in Artifact Registry. Together, they ensure that only images that have passed vulnerability scanning and are cryptographically signed can be deployed, meeting the organization's requirements.
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.
- ✗
Cloud Deploy and Cloud Run
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Deploy orchestrates deployments, Cloud Run runs containers, but they don't enforce signing/scanning.
- ✗
Cloud Build and Artifact Registry
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Build builds images, Artifact Registry stores them, but neither enforces deployment policies.
- ✓
Binary Authorization and Container Scanning API
Why this is correct
Binary Authorization enforces signing; Container Analysis provides vulnerability scanning.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Security Command Center and Cloud Asset Inventory
Why it's wrong here
These are for security management and asset tracking, not deployment enforcement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between services that perform an action (like scanning or signing) versus services that enforce a policy based on that action, so candidates mistakenly pick Cloud Build and Artifact Registry (Option B) because they handle scanning and storage, but they lack the enforcement mechanism that Binary Authorization provides.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Binary Authorization uses attestors (e.g., Cloud KMS or PGP keys) to verify that an image has a valid cryptographic signature before allowing deployment, and it integrates with Container Analysis (which includes the Container Scanning API) to check for vulnerabilities. Under the hood, Binary Authorization evaluates admission webhook requests against a policy that requires both a valid attestation and a passing vulnerability scan, blocking any image that fails either check. In a real-world scenario, a CI/CD pipeline can use Cloud Build to sign images after scanning, and Binary Authorization ensures that even if a malicious actor pushes an unsigned image to Artifact Registry, it cannot be deployed to GKE.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — This question tests Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Binary Authorization and Container Scanning API — Binary Authorization enforces that only signed and verified container images can be deployed to GKE, while the Container Scanning API (now part of Artifact Analysis) performs vulnerability scanning on images stored in Artifact Registry. Together, they ensure that only images that have passed vulnerability scanning and are cryptographically signed can be deployed, meeting the organization's requirements.
What should I do if I get this PCDE 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: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDE 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 PCDE exam.
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