- A
Use SAML 2.0 federation with AD FS to synchronize users.
Why wrong: SAML 2.0 provides SSO, not user synchronization. It does not automatically provision users in Google Cloud Directory.
- B
Use Workload Identity Federation to connect AD to Google Cloud.
Why wrong: Workload Identity Federation is for granting external workloads (e.g., AWS, Azure, GitHub Actions) access to GCP, not for synchronizing user identities from AD.
- C
Use the Cloud Identity API to manually create users and groups.
Why wrong: Manual creation is not scalable for 50,000 users and does not provide automatic provisioning/deprovisioning.
- D
Use Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS) to synchronize users and groups from AD to Cloud Identity.
GCDS is designed for this exact purpose: one-way sync from AD/LDAP to Google Cloud Directory, including automatic provisioning and deprovisioning.
PCSE Practice Question: Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access within a cloud solution environment. 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.
An organization uses Active Directory (AD) on-premises and wants to synchronize user accounts and groups to Google Cloud Identity for SSO with SAML 2.0. The AD contains 50,000 users and 10,000 groups. The solution must support automatic provisioning and deprovisioning of users. Which tool should they use?
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
Use Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS) to synchronize users and groups from AD to Cloud Identity.
Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS) is the official tool for synchronizing users and groups from Active Directory (or LDAP) to Google Cloud Directory. It supports one-way sync, automatic provisioning, and deprovisioning. SAML SSO is configured separately using an IdP like Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) or third-party. Workload Identity Federation is for external workloads (e.g., AWS, Azure) to access GCP resources, not for user identity synchronization. Cloud Identity API can be used programmatically but is not a ready-to-use sync tool. GCDS is the correct answer.
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.
- ✗
Use SAML 2.0 federation with AD FS to synchronize users.
Why it's wrong here
SAML 2.0 provides SSO, not user synchronization. It does not automatically provision users in Google Cloud Directory.
- ✗
Use Workload Identity Federation to connect AD to Google Cloud.
Why it's wrong here
Workload Identity Federation is for granting external workloads (e.g., AWS, Azure, GitHub Actions) access to GCP, not for synchronizing user identities from AD.
- ✗
Use the Cloud Identity API to manually create users and groups.
Why it's wrong here
Manual creation is not scalable for 50,000 users and does not provide automatic provisioning/deprovisioning.
- ✓
Use Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS) to synchronize users and groups from AD to Cloud Identity.
Why this is correct
GCDS is designed for this exact purpose: one-way sync from AD/LDAP to Google Cloud Directory, including automatic provisioning and deprovisioning.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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Configuring Access Within a Cloud Solution Environment — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
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..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS) to synchronize users and groups from AD to Cloud Identity. — Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS) is the official tool for synchronizing users and groups from Active Directory (or LDAP) to Google Cloud Directory. It supports one-way sync, automatic provisioning, and deprovisioning. SAML SSO is configured separately using an IdP like Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) or third-party. Workload Identity Federation is for external workloads (e.g., AWS, Azure) to access GCP resources, not for user identity synchronization. Cloud Identity API can be used programmatically but is not a ready-to-use sync tool. GCDS is the correct answer.
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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