- A
Use separate VPCs for the CDE and non-CDE workloads, and connect them using VPC peering with firewall rules to restrict traffic.
Why wrong: VPC peering allows bidirectional traffic, which may increase the CDE scope.
- B
Use a Shared VPC with a dedicated subnet for CDE resources and apply strict firewall rules.
Why wrong: Shared VPC does not provide network isolation; all projects in the host project can potentially communicate.
- C
Place all workloads in a single VPC and use Cloud Armor to protect the CDE.
Why wrong: A single VPC does not isolate the CDE; segmentation is required to reduce scope.
- D
Create a separate VPC for the CDE, and route traffic through a dedicated project with VPC Service Controls and Private Google Access.
A separate VPC isolates the CDE network. VPC Service Controls further protect data and reduce PCI scope.
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 must process credit card transactions on Google Cloud and achieve PCI DSS compliance. They want to minimize the scope of the cardholder data environment (CDE). Which architectural approach should they take?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Create a separate VPC for the CDE, and route traffic through a dedicated project with VPC Service Controls and Private Google Access.
Network segmentation is key to minimizing PCI DSS scope. A separate VPC for the CDE, combined with VPC Service Controls, isolates cardholder data.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use separate VPCs for the CDE and non-CDE workloads, and connect them using VPC peering with firewall rules to restrict traffic.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering allows bidirectional traffic, which may increase the CDE scope.
- ✗
Use a Shared VPC with a dedicated subnet for CDE resources and apply strict firewall rules.
Why it's wrong here
Shared VPC does not provide network isolation; all projects in the host project can potentially communicate.
- ✗
Place all workloads in a single VPC and use Cloud Armor to protect the CDE.
Why it's wrong here
A single VPC does not isolate the CDE; segmentation is required to reduce scope.
- ✓
Create a separate VPC for the CDE, and route traffic through a dedicated project with VPC Service Controls and Private Google Access.
Why this is correct
A separate VPC isolates the CDE network. VPC Service Controls further protect data and reduce PCI scope.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Supporting Compliance Requirements — This question tests Supporting Compliance Requirements — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a separate VPC for the CDE, and route traffic through a dedicated project with VPC Service Controls and Private Google Access. — Network segmentation is key to minimizing PCI DSS scope. A separate VPC for the CDE, combined with VPC Service Controls, isolates cardholder data.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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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