Quick Answer
The answer is `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1`. This predefined role is the correct choice because it grants the specific permissions needed to start, stop, and view Compute Engine instances while explicitly excluding destructive actions like deleting instances or modifying network configurations. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this question tests your understanding of the principle of least privilege, where you must match a role’s granular permissions to a user’s operational needs without granting broader administrative access. A common trap is confusing this role with `roles/compute.admin`, which includes delete and network modification rights, or with `roles/compute.viewer`, which only allows viewing. For a developer who needs to manage instance lifecycle but not infrastructure, `instanceAdmin.v1` is the precise fit. Memory tip: think “v1” as “view, start, stop” — the three actions it safely permits.
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.
A developer needs to create and manage Compute Engine instances in a project. They require the ability to start, stop, and view instances, but should not be able to delete or modify network configurations. Which predefined role should be assigned?
roles/compute.viewer
Why wrong: Read-only; cannot start or stop instances.
roles/iam.serviceAccountUser
Why wrong: For acting as a service account, not managing instances.
roles/compute.admin
Why wrong: Full administrative access, including network modifications, which is more than needed.
roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1
Provides the required permissions: compute.instances.* except delete, and compute.instances.start/stop.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1
Option D is correct because the `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` role grants permissions to start, stop, and view Compute Engine instances, but explicitly excludes permissions to delete instances or modify network configurations. This predefined role is designed for users who need operational control over instances without full administrative access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
roles/compute.viewer
Why it's wrong here
Read-only; cannot start or stop instances.
roles/iam.serviceAccountUser
Why it's wrong here
For acting as a service account, not managing instances.
roles/compute.admin
Why it's wrong here
Full administrative access, including network modifications, which is more than needed.
roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1
Why this is correct
Provides the required permissions: compute.instances.* except delete, and compute.instances.start/stop.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` and `roles/compute.admin`, where candidates mistakenly choose the admin role for operational tasks, overlooking the fact that admin includes destructive permissions like deletion and network modification.
Detailed technical explanation
The `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` role includes permissions such as `compute.instances.start`, `compute.instances.stop`, and `compute.instances.list`, but notably excludes `compute.instances.delete` and `compute.networks.update`. This role is part of Google Cloud's IAM predefined roles, which are curated sets of permissions that follow the principle of least privilege. In a real-world scenario, a DevOps engineer might be assigned this role to manage instance lifecycle during deployments without risking accidental deletion or network misconfiguration.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
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..
The correct answer is: roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1 — Option D is correct because the `roles/compute.instanceAdmin.v1` role grants permissions to start, stop, and view Compute Engine instances, but explicitly excludes permissions to delete instances or modify network configurations. This predefined role is designed for users who need operational control over instances without full administrative access.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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