- A
Create an attestor in Binary Authorization.
Required to define who can attest to an image.
- B
Enable Vulnerability Scanning on Artifact Registry.
Why wrong: Not required for Binary Authorization attestation.
- C
Disable the default 'Allow All' policy.
Why wrong: The policy must be set to require attestation, not just disable allow all.
- D
Create a Container Analysis note for each image.
Why wrong: Notes are used for storing attestations but not a policy requirement.
- E
Create a Cloud KMS key pair and associate it with the attestor.
The attestor's public key is used to verify signatures.
Question 145 of 985
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. 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 security team is setting up Binary Authorization for their GKE clusters. They want to enforce that only images signed by an approved attestor can be deployed. Which TWO of the following are required for this setup?
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 an attestor in Binary Authorization.
Binary Authorization requires creating an attestor and associating it with a Cloud KMS key pair for signing verification. The attestor's public key must be added to the Binary Authorization policy. A Container Analysis note is used to store attestations, but it is not a separate requirement for the policy itself; it is used when creating attestations. Disabling vulnerability scanning is not required.
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.
- ✓
Create an attestor in Binary Authorization.
Why this is correct
Required to define who can attest to an image.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Enable Vulnerability Scanning on Artifact Registry.
Why it's wrong here
Not required for Binary Authorization attestation.
- ✗
Disable the default 'Allow All' policy.
Why it's wrong here
The policy must be set to require attestation, not just disable allow all.
- ✗
Create a Container Analysis note for each image.
Why it's wrong here
Notes are used for storing attestations but not a policy requirement.
- ✓
Create a Cloud KMS key pair and associate it with the attestor.
Why this is correct
The attestor's public key is used to verify signatures.
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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Managing Operations in a Cloud Solution Environment — study guide chapter
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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 — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an attestor in Binary Authorization. — Binary Authorization requires creating an attestor and associating it with a Cloud KMS key pair for signing verification. The attestor's public key must be added to the Binary Authorization policy. A Container Analysis note is used to store attestations, but it is not a separate requirement for the policy itself; it is used when creating attestations. Disabling vulnerability scanning is not required.
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.
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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