Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

What is the primary method to identify network anomalies across VPCs in Google Cloud?

1. Implement a firewall policy

2. Monitor network traffic using logs

3. Configure packet mirroring policies

4. Utilize network performance monitoring tools

The correct answer is: Configure packet mirroring policies

Identifying network anomalies across VPCs in Google Cloud primarily involves using packet mirroring policies. Packet mirroring allows you to capture and analyze the network traffic flowing in and out of a virtual machine (VM) instance. By configuring packet mirroring, you can send a copy of the VM's network packets to a specified destination for detailed analysis. This method is particularly effective for understanding traffic patterns, detecting anomalies, and performing in-depth analysis of security events. Packet mirroring can reveal unusual behavior or unexpected traffic patterns that could indicate security threats, such as unauthorized access attempts or data exfiltration. Because it captures actual packet data, this approach provides comprehensive visibility into the network traffic, which is crucial for identifying and mitigating potential issues effectively. Other methods, while valuable for overall network management and security, do not offer the same level of detail for anomaly detection. For instance, implementing a firewall policy helps control traffic but does not directly provide insights into what that traffic looks like. Monitoring network traffic using logs can help understand usage patterns, but it is often less granular and may not capture all relevant data packets. Utilizing network performance monitoring tools can assist in assessing the health and performance of the network but may lack the specific anomaly detection capabilities offered by packet mirroring.