- A
Wildcard certificates purchased from a third-party CA
Why wrong: These require manual renewal.
- B
Self-managed certificates uploaded as PEM files
Why wrong: Self-managed certificates require manual renewal.
- C
Google-managed certificates with DNS authorization
Google-managed certificates are automatically renewed when DNS authorization is configured.
- D
Certificates from a private CA
Why wrong: Private CA certificates are not automatically renewed by Google.
Question 992 of 985
PCSE Configuring Network Security Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 Certificate Manager to provision SSL certificates for multiple domains across several load balancers. They want to automate certificate renewal. Which type of certificate should be used?
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
✓
Google-managed certificates with DNS authorization
Google-managed certificates automatically provision and renew certificates for domains that are DNS-authorized. Certificate Manager can manage these certificates and map them to load balancer targets.
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.
- ✗
Wildcard certificates purchased from a third-party CA
Why it's wrong here
These require manual renewal.
- ✗
Self-managed certificates uploaded as PEM files
Why it's wrong here
Self-managed certificates require manual renewal.
- ✓
Google-managed certificates with DNS authorization
Why this is correct
Google-managed certificates are automatically renewed when DNS authorization is configured.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Certificates from a private CA
Why it's wrong here
Private CA certificates are not automatically renewed by Google.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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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Configuring Network Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Configuring Network Security — This question tests Configuring Network Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Google-managed certificates with DNS authorization — Google-managed certificates automatically provision and renew certificates for domains that are DNS-authorized. Certificate Manager can manage these certificates and map them to load balancer targets.
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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