- A
Deny policies can only be applied at the organization level.
Why wrong: Deny policies can be applied at any level in the hierarchy.
- B
Deny policies take precedence over allow policies.
Correct: if a deny matches, access is denied regardless of allows.
- C
Deny policies are evaluated before allow policies.
Why wrong: Allow policies are evaluated first, then deny policies.
- D
Deny policies can grant permissions.
Why wrong: Deny policies only deny, they cannot grant.
Question 453 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.
Which of the following is true about IAM deny policies?
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
✓
Deny policies take precedence over allow policies.
Deny policies override allow policies. They are evaluated after allow policies, and if a deny matches, the access is denied regardless of allowed roles. They apply to the resource hierarchy as well. Deny policies can be set at the organization, folder, project, or resource level.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Deny policies can only be applied at the organization level.
Why it's wrong here
Deny policies can be applied at any level in the hierarchy.
- ✓
Deny policies take precedence over allow policies.
Why this is correct
Correct: if a deny matches, access is denied regardless of allows.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Deny policies are evaluated before allow policies.
Why it's wrong here
Allow policies are evaluated first, then deny policies.
- ✗
Deny policies can grant permissions.
Why it's wrong here
Deny policies only deny, they cannot grant.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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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 — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deny policies take precedence over allow policies. — Deny policies override allow policies. They are evaluated after allow policies, and if a deny matches, the access is denied regardless of allowed roles. They apply to the resource hierarchy as well. Deny policies can be set at the organization, folder, project, or resource level.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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