- A
Writing and maintaining application code
Why wrong: Application code is always the customer's responsibility, regardless of whether infrastructure is on-premises or in the cloud.
- B
Physical hardware maintenance, data center facilities, and network equipment management
Google assumes responsibility for the physical layer: server hardware, cooling, power, physical security, and network infrastructure in its data centers — all of which the customer previously managed on-premises.
- C
Defining which users can access the company's applications
Why wrong: Identity and access management (who can access what) remains the customer's responsibility in the cloud.
- D
Backing up the company's application data
Why wrong: Data backup strategy and execution remains the customer's responsibility unless they specifically use Google's managed backup services and configure them appropriately.
Shared Responsibility Model
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of why cloud technology is transforming business. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
When a company moves from maintaining its own data center to using Google Cloud, which operational responsibility does Google assume that the company previously managed?
Quick Answer
The answer is physical hardware maintenance, data center facilities, and network equipment management. This is correct because the shared responsibility model clearly delineates that the cloud provider—Google Cloud in this case—is responsible for the security and operation of the physical infrastructure, including servers, storage, cooling, power, and networking gear, while the customer retains responsibility for the data, access policies, and configurations running on that infrastructure. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this concept tests your understanding of what shifts when moving from an on-premises data center to the cloud; a common trap is confusing application-level security with physical security. Remember that the provider manages the “of the cloud” layer (the physical plant), and you manage the “in the cloud” layer (your data and settings). A helpful memory tip: think of the cloud provider as the landlord who maintains the building and utilities, while you are the tenant responsible for what you put inside your apartment.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Physical hardware maintenance, data center facilities, and network equipment management
When a company migrates from an on-premises data center to Google Cloud, Google assumes responsibility for the physical infrastructure, including hardware maintenance, facility management (power, cooling, security), and network equipment. This is the core of the cloud provider's shared responsibility model, where the provider manages the 'cloud' while the customer manages what is 'in' the cloud. Option B correctly identifies these operational responsibilities that shift to Google.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Writing and maintaining application code
Why it's wrong here
Application code is always the customer's responsibility, regardless of whether infrastructure is on-premises or in the cloud.
- ✓
Physical hardware maintenance, data center facilities, and network equipment management
Why this is correct
Google assumes responsibility for the physical layer: server hardware, cooling, power, physical security, and network infrastructure in its data centers — all of which the customer previously managed on-premises.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Defining which users can access the company's applications
Why it's wrong here
Identity and access management (who can access what) remains the customer's responsibility in the cloud.
- ✗
Backing up the company's application data
Why it's wrong here
Data backup strategy and execution remains the customer's responsibility unless they specifically use Google's managed backup services and configure them appropriately.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The GCDL exam often tests the shared responsibility model by making candidates confuse which responsibilities shift to the cloud provider versus those that remain with the customer, especially by implying that the provider handles all security or data management tasks, when in fact the customer retains control over access, data, and application logic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the Google Cloud Shared Responsibility Model, the division of security and operational duties is explicit: Google secures the infrastructure (physical security, network, hypervisor) while the customer secures their data, applications, and access policies. For example, Google's data centers use custom-designed servers, redundant power and cooling, and multiple network layers (e.g., BGP peering, Andromeda SDN) that the customer never touches. A real-world scenario is a company moving from managing their own server racks and switches to using Google Compute Engine, where Google handles hardware failures, firmware updates, and network switch maintenance transparently.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Why cloud technology is transforming business — This question tests Why cloud technology is transforming business — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Physical hardware maintenance, data center facilities, and network equipment management — When a company migrates from an on-premises data center to Google Cloud, Google assumes responsibility for the physical infrastructure, including hardware maintenance, facility management (power, cooling, security), and network equipment. This is the core of the cloud provider's shared responsibility model, where the provider manages the 'cloud' while the customer manages what is 'in' the cloud. Option B correctly identifies these operational responsibilities that shift to Google.
What should I do if I get this GCDL question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This GCDL practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the GCDL exam.
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