- A
Google does not encrypt internal traffic by default; customers must configure TLS for all service-to-service communication
Why wrong: This is factually incorrect. Google encrypts all inter-datacenter and inter-service traffic by default using its Application Layer Transport Security (ALTS) protocol. Customers do not need to configure this.
- B
Google encrypts all traffic between its data centers and internal services by default, with no customer configuration required
Google uses Application Layer Transport Security (ALTS) to authenticate and encrypt all traffic between Google services and between data centers by default. This is a core Google infrastructure security commitment, not an optional feature customers must enable.
- C
Google only encrypts traffic that crosses the public internet; internal network traffic is unencrypted for performance
Why wrong: This is false. Google encrypts internal network traffic as well. ALTS specifically encrypts traffic that never leaves Google's network, precisely because internal network encryption is considered essential security practice.
- D
Encryption in transit is the customer's responsibility for all traffic, including traffic within Google's network
Why wrong: Customers are responsible for encrypting traffic entering and leaving their own applications. Traffic within Google's infrastructure (between Google's own services) is Google's responsibility, and Google handles it by default.
Google Cloud Default Encryption in Transit
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of trust and security with google cloud. 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.
A company's security policy requires that all cloud-to-cloud communication between services must be encrypted in transit. An auditor asks how Google Cloud handles encryption for network traffic between Google services within its network. What is Google's default approach to encryption in transit within its infrastructure?
Quick Answer
The answer is that Google Cloud encrypts all traffic between its data centers and internal services by default, with no customer configuration required. This is correct because Google applies both application-layer encryption, such as gRPC with TLS, and link-layer encryption like MACsec to all network traffic moving within its infrastructure, ensuring data is protected in transit even between internal services. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this concept tests your understanding of Google’s foundational security posture, often appearing as a trick question where candidates might assume encryption requires manual setup or only applies to external traffic. A common trap is thinking that internal cloud-to-cloud communication is unencrypted by default, but Google’s default encryption in transit is automatic and invisible to the customer. Memory tip: think “internal is encrypted by default” — no switches to flip, no keys to manage.
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 encrypts all traffic between its data centers and internal services by default, with no customer configuration required
Google Cloud encrypts all network traffic between its data centers and internal services by default, using application-layer (e.g., gRPC with TLS) and link-layer encryption (e.g., MACsec or similar). This is a foundational security measure that requires no customer configuration, ensuring data is protected in transit even within Google's own infrastructure.
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 does not encrypt internal traffic by default; customers must configure TLS for all service-to-service communication
Why it's wrong here
This is factually incorrect. Google encrypts all inter-datacenter and inter-service traffic by default using its Application Layer Transport Security (ALTS) protocol. Customers do not need to configure this.
- ✓
Google encrypts all traffic between its data centers and internal services by default, with no customer configuration required
Why this is correct
Google uses Application Layer Transport Security (ALTS) to authenticate and encrypt all traffic between Google services and between data centers by default. This is a core Google infrastructure security commitment, not an optional feature customers must enable.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Google only encrypts traffic that crosses the public internet; internal network traffic is unencrypted for performance
Why it's wrong here
This is false. Google encrypts internal network traffic as well. ALTS specifically encrypts traffic that never leaves Google's network, precisely because internal network encryption is considered essential security practice.
- ✗
Encryption in transit is the customer's responsibility for all traffic, including traffic within Google's network
Why it's wrong here
Customers are responsible for encrypting traffic entering and leaving their own applications. Traffic within Google's infrastructure (between Google's own services) is Google's responsibility, and Google handles it by default.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume internal cloud provider networks are unencrypted for performance reasons, but Google Cloud encrypts all inter-service traffic by default, making options that require customer action or that claim no encryption incorrect.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Google uses a combination of technologies: at the application layer, services communicate via gRPC which uses TLS by default; at the link layer, Google employs MACsec (IEEE 802.1AE) to encrypt all traffic between physical switches and routers. This dual-layer approach ensures that even if an attacker gains physical access to a fiber link, the data remains encrypted. A real-world scenario is a multi-region deployment where data flows between zones—Google's encryption applies transparently without any customer-side VPN or TLS configuration.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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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Trust and security with Google Cloud practice questions
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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 encrypts all traffic between its data centers and internal services by default, with no customer configuration required — Google Cloud encrypts all network traffic between its data centers and internal services by default, using application-layer (e.g., gRPC with TLS) and link-layer encryption (e.g., MACsec or similar). This is a foundational security measure that requires no customer configuration, ensuring data is protected in transit even within Google's own infrastructure.
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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