- A
Google transfers customer data to new hardware first, then ships the old hardware to the customer for self-destruction.
Why wrong: Google never ships used hardware to customers. Google is responsible for secure destruction of decommissioned hardware within its facilities.
- B
Google uses approved data erasure and physical destruction processes (shredding, degaussing) for decommissioned storage media before hardware leaves its facilities.
Google's documented hardware decommission process includes verified data erasure and physical destruction of storage media. This is covered in Google's security whitepaper and audited by third parties.
- C
Customer data on decommissioned hardware is automatically encrypted, making it safe to discard without wiping.
Why wrong: While encryption at rest protects data while the hardware is in use, decommissioned hardware goes through explicit destruction procedures — encryption alone isn't the only safeguard.
- D
Customers must pay a data destruction fee to ensure their data is wiped from decommissioned hardware.
Why wrong: Google includes secure hardware disposition in its standard operations — no additional customer payment or action is required.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that Google uses approved data erasure and physical destruction processes for decommissioned storage media before hardware leaves its facilities. This is because Google Cloud follows a two-step destruction policy: first, storage devices undergo NIST SP 800-88 compliant data erasure to logically wipe all data, followed by physical destruction methods like shredding or degaussing to render the media completely unrecoverable. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this question tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model’s data confidentiality layer, specifically how Google handles hardware end-of-life. A common trap is assuming simple deletion or reformatting is sufficient, but the exam emphasizes that physical destruction is mandatory for any media leaving Google’s control. Memory tip: think “wipe then shred” — erasure removes the data, destruction removes the hardware.
Cloud Digital Leader Trust and security with Google Cloud Practice Question
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of trust and security with google cloud. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 company stores customer data in Google Cloud and wants to ensure data confidentiality in the event that hardware is decommissioned and returned by Google. How does Google protect customer data when storage hardware reaches end of life?
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
Google uses approved data erasure and physical destruction processes (shredding, degaussing) for decommissioned storage media before hardware leaves its facilities.
Option B is correct because Google Cloud follows strict data destruction policies for decommissioned storage media. Before any hardware leaves Google's facilities, it undergoes approved data erasure (e.g., NIST SP 800-88 compliant wiping) followed by physical destruction (e.g., shredding, degaussing) to ensure customer data cannot be recovered. This process guarantees data confidentiality even if the hardware is returned or recycled.
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.
- ✗
Google transfers customer data to new hardware first, then ships the old hardware to the customer for self-destruction.
Why it's wrong here
Google never ships used hardware to customers. Google is responsible for secure destruction of decommissioned hardware within its facilities.
- ✓
Google uses approved data erasure and physical destruction processes (shredding, degaussing) for decommissioned storage media before hardware leaves its facilities.
Why this is correct
Google's documented hardware decommission process includes verified data erasure and physical destruction of storage media. This is covered in Google's security whitepaper and audited by third parties.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Customer data on decommissioned hardware is automatically encrypted, making it safe to discard without wiping.
Why it's wrong here
While encryption at rest protects data while the hardware is in use, decommissioned hardware goes through explicit destruction procedures — encryption alone isn't the only safeguard.
- ✗
Customers must pay a data destruction fee to ensure their data is wiped from decommissioned hardware.
Why it's wrong here
Google includes secure hardware disposition in its standard operations — no additional customer payment or action is required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume encryption alone (Option C) is sufficient for decommissioned hardware, but Google's policy requires physical destruction or verified erasure to prevent data recovery from encrypted drives if keys are later compromised.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Google's data destruction process follows NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 1 guidelines, which include clear, purge, and destroy phases. For SSDs, Google uses the ATA Secure Erase command to overwrite all blocks, followed by physical shredding. For HDDs, degaussing with a field strength exceeding 10,000 Oersteds renders the platters unreadable. This multi-layered approach ensures compliance with FedRAMP, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 standards.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Trust and security with Google Cloud — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Trust and security with Google Cloud — This question tests Trust and security with Google Cloud — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Google uses approved data erasure and physical destruction processes (shredding, degaussing) for decommissioned storage media before hardware leaves its facilities. — Option B is correct because Google Cloud follows strict data destruction policies for decommissioned storage media. Before any hardware leaves Google's facilities, it undergoes approved data erasure (e.g., NIST SP 800-88 compliant wiping) followed by physical destruction (e.g., shredding, degaussing) to ensure customer data cannot be recovered. This process guarantees data confidentiality even if the hardware is returned or recycled.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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