- A
Workload Identity Federation.
Why wrong: Workload Identity Federation is for non-human workloads, not user authentication.
- B
Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) with OIDC.
IAP provides authentication using Google identity and works with OIDC for web apps.
- C
SAML 2.0 federation with the web app.
Why wrong: SAML is used for SSO but IAP natively supports OIDC, not SAML for web apps.
- D
Firebase Authentication with Google provider.
Why wrong: Firebase Auth is for consumer apps, not enterprise Google Workspace identity.
Question 654 of 985
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. 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 Google Workspace for email and collaboration. They want to allow employees to sign in to a custom web application using their Google Workspace credentials. The application runs on Compute Engine and uses a PostgreSQL database. Which identity solution should they implement?
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
✓
Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) with OIDC.
IAP with OIDC is the correct approach. IAP integrates with Google identity (including Google Workspace) and provides authentication and authorization for web applications. OIDC is the protocol used to verify identity. SAML is for SSO but IAP uses OIDC. Firebase Auth is for consumer apps. Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) is specifically designed for this use case.
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.
- ✗
Workload Identity Federation.
Why it's wrong here
Workload Identity Federation is for non-human workloads, not user authentication.
- ✓
Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) with OIDC.
Why this is correct
IAP provides authentication using Google identity and works with OIDC for web apps.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
SAML 2.0 federation with the web app.
Why it's wrong here
SAML is used for SSO but IAP natively supports OIDC, not SAML for web apps.
- ✗
Firebase Authentication with Google provider.
Why it's wrong here
Firebase Auth is for consumer apps, not enterprise Google Workspace identity.
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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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 — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) with OIDC. — IAP with OIDC is the correct approach. IAP integrates with Google identity (including Google Workspace) and provides authentication and authorization for web applications. OIDC is the protocol used to verify identity. SAML is for SSO but IAP uses OIDC. Firebase Auth is for consumer apps. Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) is specifically designed for this use case.
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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