- A
The customer, because they own the data stored in the data center
Why wrong: Data ownership does not confer physical security responsibility. Customers have no physical presence in cloud provider data centers and no role in securing them.
- B
A shared responsibility: the cloud provider secures the building exterior while the customer secures the server racks
Why wrong: Customers have no access to server racks in cloud data centers. All physical security — building exterior and interior including server hardware — is the provider's responsibility.
- C
The cloud provider, who is entirely responsible for all physical security of data center facilities and hardware
Physical security is always the cloud provider's responsibility. This includes facility perimeter security, building access controls, environmental controls, and hardware security. It is one of the most clear-cut divisions in the shared responsibility model.
- D
A third-party security company contracted by both the customer and the cloud provider
Why wrong: While cloud providers may use security contractors, the responsibility remains with the provider. Customers are not party to those arrangements and bear no shared responsibility for physical security.
Quick Answer
The cloud provider is entirely responsible for physical security of the data center under the shared responsibility model. This is because the model divides security obligations based on control: the provider owns and operates the physical infrastructure, so it must handle all building access controls, perimeter security, surveillance, and hardware protection, while the customer never has physical access to those facilities. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this concept tests your understanding of the fundamental security boundary in public cloud—a common trap is assuming the customer shares some physical responsibility, but the provider retains sole ownership of the data center layer. A useful memory tip is to think of the provider as the landlord of a secure building: you control what happens inside your apartment, but the landlord secures the lobby, doors, and walls.
Cloud Digital Leader Fundamental cloud concepts Practice Question
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of fundamental cloud concepts. 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.
An organization is planning to adopt cloud services but needs to understand which party is responsible for physical security of the data center. Under the shared responsibility model, who is responsible for physical data center security in a public cloud deployment?
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
The cloud provider, who is entirely responsible for all physical security of data center facilities and hardware
In the cloud shared responsibility model, physical security of data centers — including building access controls, perimeter security, surveillance, and hardware security — is always the sole responsibility of the cloud provider. Customers never have physical access to cloud provider data centers and bear no responsibility for physical security. This is one of the fundamental security benefits of using a public cloud.
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.
- ✗
The customer, because they own the data stored in the data center
Why it's wrong here
Data ownership does not confer physical security responsibility. Customers have no physical presence in cloud provider data centers and no role in securing them.
- ✗
A shared responsibility: the cloud provider secures the building exterior while the customer secures the server racks
Why it's wrong here
Customers have no access to server racks in cloud data centers. All physical security — building exterior and interior including server hardware — is the provider's responsibility.
- ✓
The cloud provider, who is entirely responsible for all physical security of data center facilities and hardware
Why this is correct
Physical security is always the cloud provider's responsibility. This includes facility perimeter security, building access controls, environmental controls, and hardware security. It is one of the most clear-cut divisions in the shared responsibility model.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A third-party security company contracted by both the customer and the cloud provider
Why it's wrong here
While cloud providers may use security contractors, the responsibility remains with the provider. Customers are not party to those arrangements and bear no shared responsibility for physical security.
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.
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?
Fundamental cloud concepts — This question tests Fundamental cloud concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The cloud provider, who is entirely responsible for all physical security of data center facilities and hardware — In the cloud shared responsibility model, physical security of data centers — including building access controls, perimeter security, surveillance, and hardware security — is always the sole responsibility of the cloud provider. Customers never have physical access to cloud provider data centers and bear no responsibility for physical security. This is one of the fundamental security benefits of using a public cloud.
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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