- A
The service account lacks the cloudsql.instances.connect permission.
Why wrong: Cloud SQL Client role includes that permission; the role is sufficient for connectivity.
- B
Cloud Run cannot reach the private IP because it is not connected to the VPC via Serverless VPC Access.
Serverless VPC Access is required to allow Cloud Run to reach resources on a VPC network.
- C
The service account is not authorized in the Cloud SQL instance's IAM policy.
Why wrong: IAM database authentication requires the user to be added in the database; but for service account connections, the Cloud SQL Client role at project level usually works with the Cloud SQL Proxy.
- D
The Cloud SQL instance requires a public IP for Cloud Run to connect.
Why wrong: Cloud Run can connect to private IP through a VPC connector.
Quick Answer
The answer is that Cloud Run cannot reach the private IP because it is not connected to the VPC via Serverless VPC Access. Even with correct IAM permissions like the Cloud SQL Client role, Cloud Run services run in a Google-managed environment isolated from your VPC, so they cannot route traffic to a Cloud SQL instance’s private IP without a dedicated connector. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network connectivity versus IAM authorization—a common trap is assuming that granting the right role alone solves all access issues. Remember, IAM controls who can do what, but Serverless VPC Access controls how traffic reaches private resources. A useful memory tip: “IAM for permission, VPC connector for connection.”
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. 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.
A company has deployed a Cloud Run service that needs to access a Cloud SQL database. They have configured a service account for the Cloud Run service and granted it the Cloud SQL Client role. However, the application is receiving 'Permission denied' errors when trying to connect to the database. The database has a private IP and is in a VPC. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 Run cannot reach the private IP because it is not connected to the VPC via Serverless VPC Access.
Cloud Run services run in a Google-managed environment that is not automatically connected to a VPC. To reach a Cloud SQL instance with a private IP, the Cloud Run service must use Serverless VPC Access to establish a VPC connector, which enables direct traffic to the private IP. Without this connector, the service cannot route to the private IP, resulting in 'Permission denied' errors even though the IAM permissions are correct.
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.
- ✗
The service account lacks the cloudsql.instances.connect permission.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL Client role includes that permission; the role is sufficient for connectivity.
- ✓
Cloud Run cannot reach the private IP because it is not connected to the VPC via Serverless VPC Access.
Why this is correct
Serverless VPC Access is required to allow Cloud Run to reach resources on a VPC network.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The service account is not authorized in the Cloud SQL instance's IAM policy.
Why it's wrong here
IAM database authentication requires the user to be added in the database; but for service account connections, the Cloud SQL Client role at project level usually works with the Cloud SQL Proxy.
- ✗
The Cloud SQL instance requires a public IP for Cloud Run to connect.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Run can connect to private IP through a VPC connector.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that IAM permissions alone are sufficient for private IP access, when in fact network connectivity via Serverless VPC Access is required for Cloud Run to reach resources inside a VPC.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Serverless VPC Access creates a VPC connector using a subnet in the VPC, which allows Cloud Run to send traffic to private IPs via internal routing. The 'Permission denied' error often occurs at the network layer (TCP connection refused) rather than an IAM issue, because the Cloud SQL proxy or direct connection cannot reach the private IP without the connector. In contrast, public IP connections use the internet and do not require VPC access, but private IPs are isolated to the VPC.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
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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: Cloud Run cannot reach the private IP because it is not connected to the VPC via Serverless VPC Access. — Cloud Run services run in a Google-managed environment that is not automatically connected to a VPC. To reach a Cloud SQL instance with a private IP, the Cloud Run service must use Serverless VPC Access to establish a VPC connector, which enables direct traffic to the private IP. Without this connector, the service cannot route to the private IP, resulting in 'Permission denied' errors even though the IAM permissions are correct.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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