- A
Add the external IP to an access level and configure an ingress rule in the service perimeter.
An ingress rule with an IP-based access level allows traffic from that IP to cross the perimeter.
- B
Whitelist the external IP in the BigQuery dataset's IAM policy.
Why wrong: IAM controls access at the resource level but does not bypass the VPC SC perimeter.
- C
Create a Cloud VPN tunnel between the on-premises network and the VPC, and add the tunnel to the service perimeter.
Why wrong: VPC SC perimeters are based on VPC networks; a VPN tunnel does not automatically grant access. An ingress rule would still be needed.
- D
Use Private Google Access on the VPC to allow on-premises traffic.
Why wrong: Private Google Access enables VMs in the VPC to reach Google APIs via private IP, but does not grant access from on-premises.
PCSE Configuring Network Security Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring 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 uses VPC Service Controls to protect a BigQuery dataset. They need to allow an external on-premises application to query the dataset without being inside the service perimeter. The external application has a static IP address. Which configuration is required?
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 external IP to an access level and configure an ingress rule in the service perimeter.
VPC Service Controls access levels can define IP-based conditions. By creating an ingress rule that allows traffic from the specified IP address to access the BigQuery API, the external application can be authorized.
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 external IP to an access level and configure an ingress rule in the service perimeter.
Why this is correct
An ingress rule with an IP-based access level allows traffic from that IP to cross the perimeter.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Whitelist the external IP in the BigQuery dataset's IAM policy.
Why it's wrong here
IAM controls access at the resource level but does not bypass the VPC SC perimeter.
- ✗
Create a Cloud VPN tunnel between the on-premises network and the VPC, and add the tunnel to the service perimeter.
Why it's wrong here
VPC SC perimeters are based on VPC networks; a VPN tunnel does not automatically grant access. An ingress rule would still be needed.
- ✗
Use Private Google Access on the VPC to allow on-premises traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Private Google Access enables VMs in the VPC to reach Google APIs via private IP, but does not grant access from on-premises.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 PCSE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Configuring Network Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Configuring Network Security — This question tests Configuring 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 external IP to an access level and configure an ingress rule in the service perimeter. — VPC Service Controls access levels can define IP-based conditions. By creating an ingress rule that allows traffic from the specified IP address to access the BigQuery API, the external application can be authorized.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Identify which PCSE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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