PCSE Configuring network security Practice Question
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring network security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 TWO options are valid methods to secure data in transit between an on-premises data center and a Google Cloud VPC?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Dedicated Interconnect with MACsec
Dedicated Interconnect with MACsec (Media Access Control Security) provides encryption at Layer 2, securing data in transit over the dedicated connection between your on-premises data center and Google Cloud VPC. MACsec uses GCM-AES-128 or GCM-AES-256 encryption to protect all traffic on the link, ensuring confidentiality and integrity without the overhead of IPsec.
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.
✗
Private Google Access
Why it's wrong here
Provides private access to Google APIs, not a general hybrid connectivity method.
✓
Dedicated Interconnect with MACsec
Why this is correct
Provides encryption at Layer 2 for dedicated connections.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Cloud VPN with IPsec
Why this is correct
Provides encrypted tunnel over the internet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
VPC Network Peering
Why it's wrong here
Does not encrypt traffic; relies on the underlying network.
✗
Internal HTTPS Load Balancing
Why it's wrong here
For load balancing within VPC, not for hybrid connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between connectivity methods (like Private Google Access or VPC Peering) and actual encryption mechanisms, leading candidates to confuse access control or internal routing with data-in-transit security.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MACsec operates at the Ethernet layer (IEEE 802.1AE) and encrypts all frames on the link using a pre-shared connectivity association key (CAK). It is transparent to higher-layer protocols, meaning no changes to applications or routing are needed, and it provides line-rate encryption with minimal latency. In contrast, IPsec (used in Cloud VPN) operates at Layer 3 and can be more complex to configure, especially with overlapping IP ranges or dynamic routing.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Configuring network security — This question tests Configuring network security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Dedicated Interconnect with MACsec — Dedicated Interconnect with MACsec (Media Access Control Security) provides encryption at Layer 2, securing data in transit over the dedicated connection between your on-premises data center and Google Cloud VPC. MACsec uses GCM-AES-128 or GCM-AES-256 encryption to protect all traffic on the link, ensuring confidentiality and integrity without the overhead of IPsec.
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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Question Discussion
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