- A
Select machine series that support AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV).
Confidential Computing requires SEV-capable machine types.
- B
Create an organization policy constraint that requires Confidential Computing for Compute Engine instances.
This prevents creation of instances without Confidential Computing.
- C
Enable VPC Flow Logs for all subnets.
Why wrong: Flow logs are for network monitoring, not enforcing Confidential Computing.
- D
Use Cloud IDS to detect non-confidential instances.
Why wrong: Cloud IDS is for intrusion detection, not enforcement.
- E
Use a hierarchical firewall policy to block non-confidential instances.
Why wrong: Firewall policies cannot enforce instance features.
Question 878 of 985
PCSE Configuring Network Security Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network security. 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 wants to enforce that all Compute Engine instances have Confidential Computing enabled for sensitive workloads. Which TWO steps should be taken? (Choose 2)
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
✓
Select machine series that support AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV).
To enforce Confidential Computing, use an organization policy constraint to require the feature. Additionally, instance templates can be configured with Confidential Computing, but the enforcement is via policy. Also, ensuring the VM images support SEV is important. However, the key steps: 1) Set organization policy to require `compute.requireConfidentialComputing` (or similar) and 2) Use machine series that support Confidential Computing (e.g., N2D). But the question asks for two steps. The options: creating a constraint and using appropriate machine types.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Select machine series that support AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV).
Why this is correct
Confidential Computing requires SEV-capable machine types.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✓
Create an organization policy constraint that requires Confidential Computing for Compute Engine instances.
Why this is correct
This prevents creation of instances without Confidential Computing.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs for all subnets.
Why it's wrong here
Flow logs are for network monitoring, not enforcing Confidential Computing.
- ✗
Use Cloud IDS to detect non-confidential instances.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud IDS is for intrusion detection, not enforcement.
- ✗
Use a hierarchical firewall policy to block non-confidential instances.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall policies cannot enforce instance features.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Configuring Network Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCSE question test?
Configuring Network Security — This question tests Configuring Network Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Select machine series that support AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV). — To enforce Confidential Computing, use an organization policy constraint to require the feature. Additionally, instance templates can be configured with Confidential Computing, but the enforcement is via policy. Also, ensuring the VM images support SEV is important. However, the key steps: 1) Set organization policy to require `compute.requireConfidentialComputing` (or similar) and 2) Use machine series that support Confidential Computing (e.g., N2D). But the question asks for two steps. The options: creating a constraint and using appropriate machine types.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related PCSE subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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