- A
Add the project containing the service account to the VPC Service Controls perimeter
Accessible resources are limited to perimeters that include the client project.
- B
Create a firewall rule in the client VPC allowing egress to the BigQuery API
Why wrong: Firewall rules are not managed by VPC Service Controls; they are separate.
- C
Configure an IAM condition on the service account's roles to restrict access to the perimeter
Why wrong: IAM conditions can be used but are not required; the perimeter itself restricts access.
- D
Grant the appropriate IAM roles (e.g., BigQuery Data Viewer) to the service account on the BigQuery dataset
Even with perimeter, the service account still needs IAM permissions to access the dataset.
- E
Enable Private Google Access on the subnet where the service account's VMs are located
Why wrong: Private Google Access enables internal IP access to Google APIs but is not required for VPC Service Controls.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to add the project containing the service account to the VPC Service Controls perimeter and grant the appropriate IAM roles, such as BigQuery Data Viewer, to the service account on the BigQuery dataset. This works because VPC Service Controls create a security perimeter around managed resources like BigQuery, blocking all access from outside the perimeter by default. By explicitly adding the external project to the perimeter, you allow that project’s identities to reach the protected datasets, but they still need the correct IAM permissions on the specific resource to actually read or query data. On the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding that VPC Service Controls enforce network-level boundaries, while IAM governs data-level authorization—a common trap is thinking the perimeter alone grants access. Remember the two-layer rule: perimeter includes the project, IAM authorizes the identity. A helpful mnemonic is “Perimeter for path, IAM for permission.”
PCNE Implementing network security Practice Question
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of implementing network security. 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.
A company is implementing VPC Service Controls to protect a managed project containing BigQuery datasets. They want to allow access from a specific service account in a different project. Which two configurations are required? (Choose TWO.)
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
Add the project containing the service account to the VPC Service Controls perimeter
Option A is correct because VPC Service Controls use a perimeter to restrict access to managed services like BigQuery. Adding the project containing the service account to the perimeter allows that service account to access the protected BigQuery datasets, as the perimeter explicitly includes the project as an allowed member.
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.
- ✓
Add the project containing the service account to the VPC Service Controls perimeter
Why this is correct
Accessible resources are limited to perimeters that include the client project.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a firewall rule in the client VPC allowing egress to the BigQuery API
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules are not managed by VPC Service Controls; they are separate.
- ✗
Configure an IAM condition on the service account's roles to restrict access to the perimeter
Why it's wrong here
IAM conditions can be used but are not required; the perimeter itself restricts access.
- ✓
Grant the appropriate IAM roles (e.g., BigQuery Data Viewer) to the service account on the BigQuery dataset
Why this is correct
Even with perimeter, the service account still needs IAM permissions to access the dataset.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable Private Google Access on the subnet where the service account's VMs are located
Why it's wrong here
Private Google Access enables internal IP access to Google APIs but is not required for VPC Service Controls.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that network-level controls (firewall rules, Private Google Access) can bypass VPC Service Controls, but the perimeter operates at the API layer and requires explicit project inclusion and IAM permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VPC Service Controls enforce a security perimeter around Google Cloud services like BigQuery by using a combination of access levels and perimeter bridges. When a service account in a different project needs access, the project must be added to the perimeter's 'allowed projects' list, and the service account must have the appropriate IAM roles (e.g., BigQuery Data Viewer) on the dataset. Under the hood, the perimeter intercepts API calls and checks if the caller's project is within the perimeter; if not, the request is denied regardless of network connectivity.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNE question test?
Implementing network security — This question tests Implementing network security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add the project containing the service account to the VPC Service Controls perimeter — Option A is correct because VPC Service Controls use a perimeter to restrict access to managed services like BigQuery. Adding the project containing the service account to the perimeter allows that service account to access the protected BigQuery datasets, as the perimeter explicitly includes the project as an allowed member.
What should I do if I get this PCNE 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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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PCNE 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 PCNE exam.
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