Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer Practice Exam

Which of the following is true about IAM permissions in GCP?

1. Permissions can only be assigned at the project level

2. Groups can be used to simplify permission management

3. Each user requires individual management for permissions

4. IAM cannot be integrated with Active Directory

The correct answer is: Groups can be used to simplify permission management

The statement regarding groups being used to simplify permission management is true. In Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Identity and Access Management (IAM) allows organizations to manage user permissions efficiently. By utilizing groups, administrators can assign permissions to a collection of users rather than managing permissions on an individual basis. This simplifies the management process significantly, especially in environments with many users requiring similar access rights. When groups are employed, any user added to the group inherits the permissions assigned to that group. This approach not only reduces the administrative overhead but also enhances security by allowing easier audits and updates of permissions. If a user changes roles or leaves the organization, their permissions can be adjusted simply by changing group memberships, rather than having to individually adjust each user’s permissions. In contrast, assigning permissions solely at the project level limits flexibility, as IAM supports a hierarchical structure where permissions can be assigned at various levels, including organization, folders, and resources, not just projects. Individual management of permissions for each user can lead to complexity and is not a recommended best practice, as it increases the risk of misconfigurations. Lastly, IAM can be integrated with Active Directory, allowing enterprises to synchronize IAM roles with existing directory structures for streamlined user management and authentication.