What security feature does IAM provide in Google Cloud?

IAM (Identity and Access Management) in Google Cloud offers robust capabilities for managing permissions through role-based access control (RBAC). This feature allows organizations to define roles that encapsulate specific permissions and then assign those roles to users, groups, or service accounts. By implementing RBAC, administrators can ensure that individuals only have access to the resources necessary for their job functions, thereby enhancing security and minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or privilege escalation.

This approach helps enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users do not receive excessive permissions that could lead to potential security vulnerabilities. By assigning roles based on the actual needs of the user or service, IAM significantly contributes to a more secure and manageable cloud environment.

The other aspects mentioned, such as user authentication protocols, data encryption at rest, and network security monitoring, are important security features in their own right, but they fall outside the scope of what IAM specifically provides. IAM is focused on identity management and access control rather than on encryption or network monitoring.