Quick Answer
The answer is a custom role with only the cloudsql.instances.delete permission. This is the least privileged role because it grants the exact action needed—deleting a Cloud SQL instance—without exposing any broader capabilities like modifying configurations, creating backups, or accessing data. Predefined roles such as Cloud SQL Admin or Editor include permissions like cloudsql.instances.update or cloudsql.databases.create, which would allow unintended modifications and violate the principle of least privilege. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of IAM custom roles and permission granularity, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose a predefined role like Cloud SQL Viewer or Editor. The key insight is that only a custom role can isolate a single permission, and the permission name itself—cloudsql.instances.delete—is the exact string you must specify. Memory tip: think “delete only, no edit” to remember that the permission ends with “.delete” and excludes any “.update” or “.create” permissions.
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access within a cloud solution environment. 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 wants to grant a user the ability to delete a Cloud SQL instance but not be able to modify any other settings. What is the least privileged role?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
roles/cloudsql.viewer
Why wrong: Read-only access, cannot delete.
roles/cloudsql.editor
Why wrong: Allows create, modify, and delete instances.
roles/cloudsql.admin
Why wrong: Grants full access to Cloud SQL instances.
Use a custom role with only cloudsql.instances.delete permission.
A custom role with this single permission meets the requirement exactly.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use a custom role with only cloudsql.instances.delete permission.
Option D is correct because the least privileged role that allows deleting a Cloud SQL instance without granting any other permissions is a custom role containing only the `cloudsql.instances.delete` permission. Predefined roles like viewer, editor, or admin include broader permissions that would allow modifying other settings, violating the principle of least privilege.
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.
roles/cloudsql.viewer
Why it's wrong here
Read-only access, cannot delete.
roles/cloudsql.editor
Why it's wrong here
Allows create, modify, and delete instances.
roles/cloudsql.admin
Why it's wrong here
Grants full access to Cloud SQL instances.
Use a custom role with only cloudsql.instances.delete permission.
Why this is correct
A custom role with this single permission meets the requirement exactly.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may assume a predefined role like `roles/cloudsql.editor` is the least privileged because it includes delete, but they overlook that it also grants modify permissions, which violates the 'least privileged' requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
In Google Cloud IAM, predefined roles aggregate multiple permissions; for example, `roles/cloudsql.editor` includes `cloudsql.instances.update`, `cloudsql.instances.delete`, and `cloudsql.instances.create`. A custom role scoped to only `cloudsql.instances.delete` ensures the user cannot modify settings like database flags, maintenance windows, or backup configurations. This aligns with the principle of least privilege, where permissions are granted at the most granular level possible, often using custom roles for specific operational tasks.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Configuring access within a cloud solution environment — This question tests Configuring access within a cloud solution environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use a custom role with only cloudsql.instances.delete permission. — Option D is correct because the least privileged role that allows deleting a Cloud SQL instance without granting any other permissions is a custom role containing only the `cloudsql.instances.delete` permission. Predefined roles like viewer, editor, or admin include broader permissions that would allow modifying other settings, violating the principle of least privilege.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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