The correct answer is to enable Cloud SQL private IP, disable the public IP, and use VPC Service Controls with Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy. This configuration directly meets both security requirements: private IP ensures the PostgreSQL instance is only reachable from within the VPC, removing internet exposure, while VPC Service Controls create a security perimeter that prevents data exfiltration, and IAP provides identity-based, encrypted access without needing a public IP or VPN. On the Google Professional Cloud Database Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of layered network security for managed databases—a common trap is thinking authorized networks or SSL-only settings are sufficient, but they still leave a public endpoint vulnerable. Remember the three-layer mantra: private IP for isolation, VPC Service Controls for perimeter defense, and IAP for identity-aware access. A useful memory tip is “PIP-VPC-IAP” to recall the sequence: Private IP first, then VPC Service Controls, then IAP for access.
PCDE Plan and manage database infrastructure Practice Question
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of plan and manage database infrastructure. 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 runs a Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL instance for transactional data. They need to conduct regular security audits and compliance checks. The database engineer must ensure that all connections to the database are encrypted and that access is restricted to authorized VMs only. The database is currently accessible from the internet via an authorized network with a public IP. What should the database engineer do to meet these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Cloud SQL private IP and disable public IP. Use VPC Service Controls and Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy for access.
Option C is correct because it addresses both requirements: encryption and access restriction. Enabling Cloud SQL private IP ensures that the database is only reachable from within the VPC, eliminating internet exposure. VPC Service Controls provide a security perimeter to prevent data exfiltration, and Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) enables fine-grained, identity-based access to the database without requiring a public IP or VPN.
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.
✗
Create a Cloud SQL proxy instance in the same VPC and force all clients to connect through the proxy.
Why it's wrong here
Proxy can help but doesn't address public IP exposure.
✗
Configure SSL/TLS for all connections and use an authorized network with a specific CIDR range.
Why it's wrong here
Still exposed to internet; authorized networks are not sufficient for compliance.
✓
Enable Cloud SQL private IP and disable public IP. Use VPC Service Controls and Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy for access.
Why this is correct
Private IP eliminates internet exposure; VPC Service Controls and IAP enforce access control.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Cloud SQL public IP with SSL/TLS and restrict access using Cloud Armor.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Cloud SQL proxy with a network-level access control solution, or they assume that SSL/TLS and authorized networks are sufficient for VM-only access, overlooking the fact that authorized networks still expose a public IP and do not enforce VM identity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL private IP uses RFC 1918 addresses within a VPC, making the instance inaccessible from the internet. VPC Service Controls create a security perimeter around Google Cloud services, preventing data exfiltration to unauthorized networks. Cloud IAP for TCP forwarding allows authenticated and authorized users to connect to Cloud SQL instances via a tunnel, using IAM roles to restrict access to specific VMs or service accounts, which is more granular than IP-based authorized networks.
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.
Plan and manage database infrastructure — This question tests Plan and manage database infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Cloud SQL private IP and disable public IP. Use VPC Service Controls and Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy for access. — Option C is correct because it addresses both requirements: encryption and access restriction. Enabling Cloud SQL private IP ensures that the database is only reachable from within the VPC, eliminating internet exposure. VPC Service Controls provide a security perimeter to prevent data exfiltration, and Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) enables fine-grained, identity-based access to the database without requiring a public IP or VPN.
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.
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Question Discussion
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