Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

When assessing external IP address usage, which practice is recommended for optimal security posture?

1. Allow all IP addresses for convenience

2. Grant access based on known internal IPs only

3. Use external IPs for all cloud resources

4. Depend solely on organizational policies for protection

The correct answer is: Grant access based on known internal IPs only

The practice of granting access based on known internal IPs is recommended for optimal security posture because it establishes a layer of control by limiting access to trusted sources. This approach is aligned with the principle of least privilege, whereby only those who need access to the resources are granted that access, reducing the attack surface and potential exploit vectors. By only allowing known internal IP addresses, organizations can effectively minimize exposure to unauthorized users and potential threats from external sources. This practice helps in establishing a secure perimeter around sensitive resources, ensuring that only users and devices from within the organization's trusted network can communicate with them. In contrast, allowing all IP addresses introduces significant vulnerabilities, as it opens up resources to anyone on the internet, drastically increasing the likelihood of unauthorized access. Utilizing external IPs for all cloud resources could also lead to security risks, as external-facing services can be more easily targeted by malicious actors. Lastly, relying solely on organizational policies without implementing technical controls would not sufficiently protect resources, as policies may not always be enforced or adhered to in practice.