- A
Set up session expiration policies that automatically log out inactive users after 15 minutes.
Session timeouts are required for access control.
- B
Configure Cloud NAT to allow instances to access the internet without public IPs.
Why wrong: Cloud NAT is a networking feature, not an access control requirement.
- C
Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the Google Cloud Console.
FedRAMP requires MFA for privileged users and all external users.
- D
Create custom IAM roles that grant only the minimum permissions required for each job function.
Least privilege is a core access control requirement for FedRAMP.
- E
Implement VPC Service Controls to prevent data exfiltration.
Why wrong: VPC Service Controls are for data protection, not specifically for access control.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create custom IAM roles that grant only the minimum permissions required for each job function, enforce session timeout policies, and implement multi-factor authentication. This trio directly satisfies FedRAMP Moderate access control requirements by adhering to the principle of least privilege, automatically terminating unattended sessions per AC-12, and strengthening identity verification. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this question tests your ability to map specific IAM controls to the FedRAMP Moderate baseline, often trapping candidates who confuse broad organizational policies with granular, enforceable technical settings. A common memory tip is to think of the "Three Locks": least privilege roles lock down permissions, session timeouts lock down idle access, and MFA locks down identity. Remember that FedRAMP Moderate demands proactive, automated controls rather than manual review processes, so focus on IAM features that enforce restrictions without human intervention.
PCSE Supporting compliance requirements Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of supporting compliance requirements. 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.
Which THREE steps are necessary to ensure that a Google Cloud project complies with FedRAMP Moderate baseline requirements for access control? (Choose three.)
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
Set up session expiration policies that automatically log out inactive users after 15 minutes.
Option A is correct because FedRAMP Moderate requires session timeout policies to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access from unattended sessions. Google Cloud IAM session settings allow you to enforce a maximum session duration, and setting it to 15 minutes aligns with the FedRAMP requirement for automatic logout of inactive users. This directly addresses the access control family (AC-12) in the FedRAMP baseline.
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.
- ✓
Set up session expiration policies that automatically log out inactive users after 15 minutes.
Why this is correct
Session timeouts are required for access control.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure Cloud NAT to allow instances to access the internet without public IPs.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud NAT is a networking feature, not an access control requirement.
- ✓
Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the Google Cloud Console.
Why this is correct
FedRAMP requires MFA for privileged users and all external users.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Create custom IAM roles that grant only the minimum permissions required for each job function.
Why this is correct
Least privilege is a core access control requirement for FedRAMP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Implement VPC Service Controls to prevent data exfiltration.
Why it's wrong here
VPC Service Controls are for data protection, not specifically for access control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between access control (user authentication, session management, least privilege) and network security controls (NAT, VPC perimeters), leading candidates to incorrectly select options that address data exfiltration or internet access rather than direct access control requirements.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
FedRAMP Moderate access control requirements (AC-2, AC-6, AC-7) mandate account management, least privilege, and session lock mechanisms. Google Cloud IAM session settings use the `constraints/iam.allowServiceAccountCredentialLifetimeExtension` and `maxSessionDuration` policies to enforce session expiration. MFA (Option C) is enforced via Identity Platform or Cloud Identity, satisfying AC-7 for authentication. Custom IAM roles (Option D) implement least privilege per AC-6 by scoping permissions to specific resources and actions.
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?
Supporting compliance requirements — This question tests Supporting compliance requirements — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up session expiration policies that automatically log out inactive users after 15 minutes. — Option A is correct because FedRAMP Moderate requires session timeout policies to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access from unattended sessions. Google Cloud IAM session settings allow you to enforce a maximum session duration, and setting it to 15 minutes aligns with the FedRAMP requirement for automatic logout of inactive users. This directly addresses the access control family (AC-12) in the FedRAMP baseline.
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.
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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