- A
Cloud Storage bucket with a `containers/` folder.
Why wrong: Docker images cannot be stored in Cloud Storage as plain files — they use a specific registry protocol (OCI/Docker). Artifact Registry implements the required container registry API.
- B
Artifact Registry
Artifact Registry stores Docker images, Helm charts, and other build artifacts. Cloud Build pushes images here; GKE and Cloud Run pull from here during deployment. It also performs vulnerability scanning.
- C
Cloud SQL — storing build artifacts in a relational database.
Why wrong: Cloud SQL is a relational database for structured data. Container images are binary artifacts stored in a registry service like Artifact Registry, not a database.
- D
Cloud Source Repositories — the code repository stores both source code and container images.
Why wrong: Cloud Source Repositories is a Git-based source code repository. Container images (built artifacts) are stored in Artifact Registry, not source code repositories.
Quick Answer
The answer is Artifact Registry, the fully managed service for storing and managing container images on Google Cloud. This is correct because Artifact Registry provides a private, secure repository that integrates natively with Cloud Build to automatically push images after code is built and tested, and with GKE to pull those images into deployment pipelines. It also supports vulnerability scanning and IAM-based access control, ensuring only authorized services and users can interact with your artifacts. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this question tests your understanding of the modern CI/CD workflow, where Artifact Registry replaces the older Container Registry as the unified artifact management solution. A common trap is confusing Container Registry with Artifact Registry—remember that Artifact Registry is the recommended, multi-format successor that handles not just Docker images but also Maven, npm, and other package types. Memory tip: think "Artifact" as the all-in-one "art" gallery for all your build outputs, not just containers.
Cloud Digital Leader Practice Question: Google Cloud products, services, and solutions
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of google cloud products, services, and solutions. 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.
A development team uses Cloud Build to automatically build, test, and create container images whenever code is pushed to their repository. The resulting Docker images need to be stored securely and made available to their GKE deployment pipelines. Which Google Cloud service stores and manages these container images?
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
Artifact Registry
Artifact Registry is the correct service because it is a fully managed, private container registry designed to store, manage, and secure Docker images and other artifacts. It integrates natively with Cloud Build for pushing images and with GKE for pulling them, supporting vulnerability scanning and IAM-based access control.
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.
- ✗
Cloud Storage bucket with a `containers/` folder.
Why it's wrong here
Docker images cannot be stored in Cloud Storage as plain files — they use a specific registry protocol (OCI/Docker). Artifact Registry implements the required container registry API.
- ✓
Artifact Registry
Why this is correct
Artifact Registry stores Docker images, Helm charts, and other build artifacts. Cloud Build pushes images here; GKE and Cloud Run pull from here during deployment. It also performs vulnerability scanning.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Cloud SQL — storing build artifacts in a relational database.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL is a relational database for structured data. Container images are binary artifacts stored in a registry service like Artifact Registry, not a database.
- ✗
Cloud Source Repositories — the code repository stores both source code and container images.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Source Repositories is a Git-based source code repository. Container images (built artifacts) are stored in Artifact Registry, not source code repositories.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Cloud Storage (a generic object store) with a container registry, not realizing that container images require a registry API and metadata management that Artifact Registry provides.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Artifact Registry implements the Docker Registry HTTP API v2, allowing standard `docker push` and `docker pull` commands. It stores images in regional or multi-regional repositories with automatic replication, and supports immutable tags and cleanup policies to manage image lifecycle. In a CI/CD pipeline, Cloud Build can push images directly to Artifact Registry using the `gcr.io` hostname or a custom domain, and GKE nodes authenticate via the Compute Engine default service account or a dedicated service account key.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Google Cloud products, services, and solutions — This question tests Google Cloud products, services, and solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Artifact Registry — Artifact Registry is the correct service because it is a fully managed, private container registry designed to store, manage, and secure Docker images and other artifacts. It integrates natively with Cloud Build for pushing images and with GKE for pulling them, supporting vulnerability scanning and IAM-based access control.
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.
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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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