Cloud Digital Leader Trust and security with Google Cloud Practice Question
What compliance certification verifies that an organization's Information Security Management System (ISMS) meets internationally recognized standards for managing information security risks?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse SOC 2 Type II (which focuses on service organization controls) with ISO/IEC 27001 (which is the specific international standard for an ISMS), leading them to select SOC 2 Type II when the question explicitly asks for an ISMS certification.
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
✓
ISO/IEC 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard that specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information, ensuring it remains secure through risk management processes. This certification is recognized globally and is the primary standard for ISMS compliance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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SOC 2 Type II
Why it's wrong here
SOC 2 Type II is an attestation report based on the AICPA Trust Services Criteria, evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of controls over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy for a defined period. While Google Cloud undergoes SOC 2 Type II audits, it certifies control effectiveness for specific service commitments, not the formal certification of an information security management system (ISMS) as a whole. ISO/IEC 27001, by contrast, is the international standard that mandates a comprehensive, risk-based ISMS with explicit requirements for continuous improvement, making it the appropriate certification for the scenario.
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ISO/IEC 27001
Why this is correct
ISO/IEC 27001 is an internationally recognized standard that specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). It is a voluntary certification standard, and Google Cloud has achieved ISO/IEC 27001 certification through independent third-party audits, demonstrating alignment with global best practices for information security management. This certification provides customers with assurance that Google Cloud has systematic, risk-based processes for managing sensitive information, making it the correct answer.
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PCI DSS
Why it's wrong here
PCI DSS is a contractual industry standard created by the PCI Security Standards Council to protect cardholder data in payment card transactions. It applies specifically to organizations that store, process, or transmit cardholder data, and compliance is validated through self-assessment questionnaires or external QSA audits, not third-party certification of an ISMS. Its scope is narrowly focused on payment card security controls, unlike the comprehensive management-system certification provided by ISO/IEC 27001, which covers all information assets and risk management processes.
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FedRAMP
Why it's wrong here
FedRAMP is a U.S. federal government program that standardizes security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services used by federal agencies. It is not an international ISMS certification; rather, it is a compliance authorization tailored to U.S. government risk tolerance and legal requirements such as FISMA. While FedRAMP includes many security controls, it does not certify the organization's overall information security management system to an international standard like ISO/IEC 27001 does.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Security on Google Cloud
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
Key term
Confidentiality Integrity and Availability
The CIA Triad is a foundational security model that ensures data is kept secret, unaltered, and accessible when needed.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.