- A
Enable multi-factor authentication for all users.
MFA adds a layer of security to user accounts.
- B
Use only predefined roles to ensure consistency.
Why wrong: Predefined roles may grant excessive permissions; custom roles may be needed for least privilege.
- C
Enable Cloud Audit Logs to monitor access.
Why wrong: Audit logs are monitoring, not access control itself.
- D
Use service accounts for human user access.
Why wrong: Service accounts are for applications, not human users.
- E
Grant the least privilege necessary using IAM roles.
Least privilege is a fundamental IAM best practice.
Question 556 of 985
PCSE Supporting Compliance Requirements Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of supporting compliance requirements. 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 subject to SOC 2 compliance and wants to demonstrate that they have implemented proper access controls on Google Cloud. Which TWO IAM best practices should they follow? (Choose two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Enable multi-factor authentication for all users.
SOC 2 requires access controls. The principle of least privilege (granting minimal permissions) and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) are key IAM best practices. Using predefined roles is not always best; custom roles may be needed. Service accounts are for applications, not user access. Cloud Audit Logs track access but are not an IAM best practice per se.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 multi-factor authentication for all users.
Why this is correct
MFA adds a layer of security to user accounts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Use only predefined roles to ensure consistency.
Why it's wrong here
Predefined roles may grant excessive permissions; custom roles may be needed for least privilege.
- ✗
Enable Cloud Audit Logs to monitor access.
Why it's wrong here
Audit logs are monitoring, not access control itself.
- ✗
Use service accounts for human user access.
Why it's wrong here
Service accounts are for applications, not human users.
- ✓
Grant the least privilege necessary using IAM roles.
Why this is correct
Least privilege is a fundamental IAM best practice.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related PCSE questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Supporting Compliance Requirements — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Supporting Compliance Requirements — This question tests Supporting Compliance Requirements — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable multi-factor authentication for all users. — SOC 2 requires access controls. The principle of least privilege (granting minimal permissions) and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) are key IAM best practices. Using predefined roles is not always best; custom roles may be needed. Service accounts are for applications, not user access. Cloud Audit Logs track access but are not an IAM best practice per se.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related PCSE questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCSE 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 PCSE exam.
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