- A
Use VPC firewall rules with a deny-all egress rule, then allow egress only from instances running in the hub VPC.
Why wrong: This does not force traffic through an inspection appliance; it just blocks traffic from spoke VPCs.
- B
Configure private Google Access and VPC Service Controls to restrict egress.
Why wrong: These control access to Google APIs, not general egress traffic to the internet.
- C
Create a hierarchical firewall policy that denies all egress traffic unless it has a specific tag.
Why wrong: Hierarchical firewall policies enforce allow/deny rules but cannot redirect traffic through an appliance; they only filter.
- D
Set up a default route in each spoke VPC that sends egress traffic to the inspection appliance in the hub, and use firewall rules to allow only that traffic.
Correct: By configuring a default route (0.0.0.0/0) with the inspection appliance as next hop, all egress traffic is forced through it. Firewall rules can then allow only traffic that matches this path.
PCSE Configuring Network Security Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network security. 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.
An organization has a hub-and-spoke VPC setup with Shared VPC. The security team wants to enforce a rule that all egress traffic from any project in the organization must pass through a central inspection appliance in the hub VPC. Which firewall configuration approach meets this requirement?
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
Set up a default route in each spoke VPC that sends egress traffic to the inspection appliance in the hub, and use firewall rules to allow only that traffic.
Hierarchical firewall policies apply to the entire organization, folder, or project and cannot be overridden by VPC firewall rules. They can be used to enforce mandatory inspection. However, they cannot specify next-hop appliances. To force traffic through an inspection appliance, you need to use a combination of routes and firewall rules. The correct approach is to set up a default route pointing to the inspection appliance as next hop, and use firewall rules to block direct egress unless it goes through the appliance.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 VPC firewall rules with a deny-all egress rule, then allow egress only from instances running in the hub VPC.
Why it's wrong here
This does not force traffic through an inspection appliance; it just blocks traffic from spoke VPCs.
- ✗
Configure private Google Access and VPC Service Controls to restrict egress.
Why it's wrong here
These control access to Google APIs, not general egress traffic to the internet.
- ✗
Create a hierarchical firewall policy that denies all egress traffic unless it has a specific tag.
Why it's wrong here
Hierarchical firewall policies enforce allow/deny rules but cannot redirect traffic through an appliance; they only filter.
- ✓
Set up a default route in each spoke VPC that sends egress traffic to the inspection appliance in the hub, and use firewall rules to allow only that traffic.
Why this is correct
Correct: By configuring a default route (0.0.0.0/0) with the inspection appliance as next hop, all egress traffic is forced through it. Firewall rules can then allow only traffic that matches this path.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Configuring Network Security — This question tests Configuring Network Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up a default route in each spoke VPC that sends egress traffic to the inspection appliance in the hub, and use firewall rules to allow only that traffic. — Hierarchical firewall policies apply to the entire organization, folder, or project and cannot be overridden by VPC firewall rules. They can be used to enforce mandatory inspection. However, they cannot specify next-hop appliances. To force traffic through an inspection appliance, you need to use a combination of routes and firewall rules. The correct approach is to set up a default route pointing to the inspection appliance as next hop, and use firewall rules to block direct egress unless it goes through the appliance.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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