Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

How can you minimize the risk associated with long open Google Cloud CLI sessions?

1. Set the reauthentication frequency to three hours.

2. Set the reauthentication frequency for the Google Cloud Session Control to one hour.

3. Log out from the CLI after each session.

4. Only use the CLI with a VPN connection.

The correct answer is: Set the reauthentication frequency for the Google Cloud Session Control to one hour.

Setting the reauthentication frequency for the Google Cloud Session Control to one hour effectively minimizes the risk associated with long open Google Cloud CLI sessions. By enforcing regular reauthentication, you reduce the window of opportunity for potential unauthorized access should an active session be compromised. Frequent reauthentication ensures that only users with valid credentials can continue to use the CLI, adding an important layer of security. This approach is particularly useful in environments where sessions could be left open for extended periods, either intentionally or unintentionally. By limiting the duration of valid sessions, organizations can enhance their security posture, reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized operations through a compromised account. The alternatives, while individually useful, do not provide the same level of security enhancement. Logging out after each session could be inconvenient and does not address the risk of session hijacking while the CLI is active. Setting a reauthentication frequency of three hours could leave you exposed for an extended period. Using the CLI only over a VPN does add a layer of security for securing network traffic, but it does not mitigate the risks associated with session management itself.