- A
Zero trust security model
Why wrong: Zero trust is a security philosophy ('never trust, always verify') applied to network access design. It is different from the shared responsibility model, which describes the division of security duties between provider and customer.
- B
Shared responsibility model
The shared responsibility model defines that Google Cloud secures the infrastructure ('security of the cloud') while customers secure their data and applications ('security in the cloud').
- C
Defense in depth strategy
Why wrong: Defense in depth is a security approach using multiple layers of controls. While related to good security practice, it's not the name for the provider/customer responsibility division.
- D
Identity federation model
Why wrong: Identity federation enables using an external identity provider for authentication (SSO). It's a specific security feature, not the framework describing provider vs. customer responsibilities.
What Is the Shared Responsibility Model in Cloud Security?
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of gcdl exam topics. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which term describes the model where the cloud provider is responsible for the security of the cloud infrastructure, while the customer is responsible for security within their own cloud environment (data, applications, access management)?
Quick Answer
The answer is the shared responsibility model. This model is correct because it formally divides security obligations between the cloud provider and the customer: the provider secures the cloud infrastructure—including physical data centers, hardware, hypervisors, and core services—while the customer secures everything within their own cloud environment, such as data classification, access management, application security, and network configurations. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this concept tests your understanding of how security ownership shifts depending on the service model (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS), and a common trap is assuming the provider handles all security, especially for customer-managed data and identity controls. A helpful memory tip is to think of it as a landlord-tenant relationship: the landlord secures the building’s foundation and walls, but you lock your own doors and safeguard your valuables inside.
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
Shared responsibility model
The shared responsibility model defines the division of security responsibilities between the cloud provider and the customer. Google secures the physical infrastructure, hardware, hypervisor, and core services. The customer secures what they put in the cloud: data classification, access control, application security, network configuration, and compliance. The boundary between provider and customer responsibility varies by service model (IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS).
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.
- ✗
Zero trust security model
Why it's wrong here
Zero trust is a security philosophy ('never trust, always verify') applied to network access design. It is different from the shared responsibility model, which describes the division of security duties between provider and customer.
- ✓
Shared responsibility model
Why this is correct
The shared responsibility model defines that Google Cloud secures the infrastructure ('security of the cloud') while customers secure their data and applications ('security in the cloud').
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Defense in depth strategy
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth is a security approach using multiple layers of controls. While related to good security practice, it's not the name for the provider/customer responsibility division.
- ✗
Identity federation model
Why it's wrong here
Identity federation enables using an external identity provider for authentication (SSO). It's a specific security feature, not the framework describing provider vs. customer responsibilities.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Shared responsibility model — The shared responsibility model defines the division of security responsibilities between the cloud provider and the customer. Google secures the physical infrastructure, hardware, hypervisor, and core services. The customer secures what they put in the cloud: data classification, access control, application security, network configuration, and compliance. The boundary between provider and customer responsibility varies by service model (IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS).
What should I do if I get this GCDL question wrong?
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: May 19, 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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