- A
Private Google Access is not enabled on the subnet.
Why wrong: Private Google Access is for accessing Google APIs without public IP, not for Cloud SQL private IP connectivity.
- B
The VM's firewall rules block traffic to the Cloud SQL IP range.
Why wrong: The firewall rules allow egress to any destination, so this is not the cause.
- C
The VPC network does not have a private services access connection (VPC peering) to the Service Networking API.
Private services access requires a VPC peering connection to route traffic to Google-managed services like Cloud SQL.
- D
The Cloud SQL instance requires the Cloud SQL Auth proxy to be installed on the VM.
Why wrong: The Cloud SQL Auth proxy is an alternative for connecting over public IP or IAM-based auth, but not required for private IP connectivity.
PCSE Practice Question: Managing operations in a cloud solution environment
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of managing operations in a cloud solution environment. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 security engineer is troubleshooting an issue where a Compute Engine VM cannot connect to a Cloud SQL instance that has a private IP address. Both resources are in the same VPC network. The VM's firewall rules allow egress to any destination, and the Cloud SQL instance's authorized networks include the VPC network. What is the most likely cause of the connection failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The VPC network does not have a private services access connection (VPC peering) to the Service Networking API.
Cloud SQL instances with private IP addresses require a private services access connection (VPC peering) between the VPC network and the Service Networking API's managed tenant project. Without this VPC peering, the VM cannot route traffic to the Cloud SQL instance's private IP, even if both are in the same VPC network. Option C directly identifies this missing prerequisite.
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.
- ✗
Private Google Access is not enabled on the subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Private Google Access is for accessing Google APIs without public IP, not for Cloud SQL private IP connectivity.
- ✗
The VM's firewall rules block traffic to the Cloud SQL IP range.
Why it's wrong here
The firewall rules allow egress to any destination, so this is not the cause.
- ✓
The VPC network does not have a private services access connection (VPC peering) to the Service Networking API.
Why this is correct
Private services access requires a VPC peering connection to route traffic to Google-managed services like Cloud SQL.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The Cloud SQL instance requires the Cloud SQL Auth proxy to be installed on the VM.
Why it's wrong here
The Cloud SQL Auth proxy is an alternative for connecting over public IP or IAM-based auth, but not required for private IP connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that being in the same VPC network guarantees Layer 3 connectivity, but private Cloud SQL instances require an explicit VPC peering to the Service Networking API, which is a separate configuration step.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Private services access uses VPC Network Peering to connect your VPC to a Google-managed tenant VPC that hosts Cloud SQL instances. This peering must be set up explicitly via the Service Networking API, and it automatically creates routes for the allocated IP range (e.g., 10.0.0.0/24) used by the Cloud SQL instance. Without this peering, the VM's routing table has no entry for the Cloud SQL private IP, causing packets to be dropped or sent to the default internet gateway instead.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Managing operations in a cloud solution environment — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Managing operations in a cloud solution environment practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCSE questions
500 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCSE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCSE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configuring network security practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Configuring network security.
Configuring access within a cloud solution environment practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Configuring access within a cloud solution environment.
Ensuring data protection practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Ensuring data protection.
Managing operations in a cloud solution environment practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Managing operations in a cloud solution environment.
Supporting compliance requirements practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to Supporting compliance requirements.
PCSE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE fundamentals.
PCSE scenario practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE scenario.
PCSE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCSE questions linked to PCSE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCSE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Managing operations in a cloud solution environment — This question tests Managing operations in a cloud solution environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The VPC network does not have a private services access connection (VPC peering) to the Service Networking API. — Cloud SQL instances with private IP addresses require a private services access connection (VPC peering) between the VPC network and the Service Networking API's managed tenant project. Without this VPC peering, the VM cannot route traffic to the Cloud SQL instance's private IP, even if both are in the same VPC network. Option C directly identifies this missing prerequisite.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.