Quick Answer
The answer is pre-configured WAF rules, specifically the SQL injection (SQLi) rule set within Cloud Armor. This is correct because these rules provide a managed, signature-based defense that inspects HTTP(S) request bodies, headers, and URIs for known SQL injection patterns, blocking malicious queries before they reach your backend. On the Google Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Cloud Armor integrates with external HTTP(S) load balancers to provide application-layer security, often appearing as a direct question about the correct feature for SQLi protection. A common trap is confusing custom rules with pre-configured rules—remember that pre-configured WAF rules are Google-managed and updated automatically, while custom rules require manual definition. For a memory tip, think "SQLi = Pre-configured WAF" as the default, turnkey solution for injection attacks.
This PCNE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network services. 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 wants to protect their application behind an external HTTP(S) load balancer from SQL injection attacks. Which Cloud Armor feature should be used?
IP allowlist/denylist
Why wrong: IP lists control access by source IP, not application layer attacks.
Pre-configured WAF rules
WAF rules include signatures for SQL injection and other common web attacks.
Named IP address lists
Why wrong: Named IP lists are a way to group IP addresses, not a security rule.
Rate limiting
Why wrong: Rate limiting controls request frequency, not specific attack payloads.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Pre-configured WAF rules
Pre-configured WAF rules in Cloud Armor include a SQL injection (SQLi) rule that inspects HTTP(S) request bodies, headers, and URIs for SQL injection patterns. This rule uses a set of signatures to detect and block malicious SQL queries, directly addressing the requirement to protect against SQL injection attacks on an external HTTP(S) load balancer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
IP allowlist/denylist
Why it's wrong here
IP lists control access by source IP, not application layer attacks.
Pre-configured WAF rules
Why this is correct
WAF rules include signatures for SQL injection and other common web attacks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Named IP address lists
Why it's wrong here
Named IP lists are a way to group IP addresses, not a security rule.
Rate limiting
Why it's wrong here
Rate limiting controls request frequency, not specific attack payloads.
Common exam traps
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that IP-based controls (allowlist/denylist or named IP lists) can protect against application-layer attacks like SQL injection, but these features operate at Layer 3/4 and cannot inspect HTTP payloads.
Detailed technical explanation
Cloud Armor's pre-configured WAF rules leverage the ModSecurity Core Rule Set (CRS) to detect SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other OWASP Top 10 threats. The SQL injection rule (e.g., rule ID 942100) matches on SQL keywords and special characters like ' OR 1=1 --, and can be tuned with sensitivity levels (e.g., paranoia level 1-4) to reduce false positives. In a real-world scenario, a company might combine pre-configured WAF rules with custom rules to block application-specific SQL injection vectors that bypass generic signatures.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Configuring network services — This question tests Configuring network services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Pre-configured WAF rules — Pre-configured WAF rules in Cloud Armor include a SQL injection (SQLi) rule that inspects HTTP(S) request bodies, headers, and URIs for SQL injection patterns. This rule uses a set of signatures to detect and block malicious SQL queries, directly addressing the requirement to protect against SQL injection attacks on an external HTTP(S) load balancer.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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