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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Google
Exam Format
90 min
50-60
~70% (Pass/Fail)
Foundational
Registration
$99 USD
Kryterion or online proctoring
Validity
3 years
Take the standard Cloud Digital Leader exam ($99 USD, 90 minutes, 50-60 questions); Take the shorter renewal exam ($60 USD, 45 minutes, 20 questions); Renewal eligibility begins 180 days before expiration date
CLOUD-DIGITAL-LEADER Exam Topics and Domains
CLOUD-DIGITAL-LEADER is organized into 6 weighted domains. Expect to work with BigQuery, AutoML, Cloud Run, Cloud Storage, and more.
1
Digital Transformation with Google Cloud
17%
Why Cloud Technology is Transforming Business
Cloud terminology and definitionsCloud vs traditional/on-premises technologyBenefits of cloud technology for digital transformationCloud deployment modelsGoogle Cloud business transformation benefitsRisks of not adopting new technologyDrivers and challenges of digital transformationThe transformation cloud
- Explain why and how the cloud is revolutionizing businesses
- Define foundational cloud terms including cloud, cloud technology, data, digital transformation, cloud-native, open source, and open standard
- Describe the differences between cloud technology and traditional or on-premises technology
- Explain the benefits of cloud technology to a business's digital transformation
- Describe primary benefits of each deployment model and differentiate between them
- Describe the main business transformation benefits of Google Cloud
- Describe the implications and risks for organizations that do not adopt new technology
- Describe the drivers and challenges that lead organizations to undergo a digital transformation
- Describe the transformation cloud and how it accelerates digital transformation
Fundamental Cloud Concepts
Cloud infrastructure attributes and TCOCapEx vs OpEx in cloud migrationChoosing the right cloud infrastructureNetwork infrastructure terminologyGoogle Cloud global infrastructure
- Explain general cloud concepts
- Describe how transitioning to cloud infrastructure affects flexibility, scalability, reliability, elasticity, agility, and TCO
- Explain the CapEx to OpEx shift and its impact on TCO
- Identify when private, hybrid, or multicloud infrastructures best apply to different business use cases
- Define basic network infrastructure terminology
- Discuss how Google Cloud supports digital transformation with global infrastructure
Cloud Computing Models and Shared Responsibility
IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS definitionsComparing IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS tradeoffsSelecting the right computing modelCloud shared responsibility model
- Discuss the benefits and tradeoffs of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
- Define IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
- Compare and contrast the benefits and tradeoffs including TCO, flexibility, shared responsibilities, management level, and necessary staffing
- Determine which computing model applies to various business scenarios
- Describe the cloud shared responsibility model and compare responsibilities across models
2
Exploring Data Transformation with Google Cloud
16%
The Value of Data
Data-driven business insightsData management conceptsCreating value from data sourcesCloud unlocking data valueData value chainData governance
- Describe the intrinsic role that data plays in digital transformation
- Explain how data generates business insights, drives decision-making, and creates new value
- Differentiate between databases, data warehouses, and data lakes
- Explain how organizations can create value from various data sources
- Describe how cloud unlocks business value from all data types
- Discuss data value chain concepts
- Explain the importance of data governance
Google Cloud Data Management Solutions
Google Cloud data management productsData management terminologyBigQuery as serverless data warehouseCloud Storage classesDatabase migration and modernization
- Determine which Google Cloud data management products are applicable to different use cases
- Differentiate between Google Cloud data management options by data type and business use case
- Define key data management concepts and terms
- Describe BigQuery benefits as a serverless managed data warehouse
- Differentiate between Cloud Storage classes
- Describe database migration and modernization approaches
Making Data Useful and Accessible
Looker for business intelligenceBigQuery and Looker integrationStreaming analyticsData pipeline modernization
- Discuss how smart analytics, BI tools, and streaming analytics add value
- Describe Looker's role in data democratization
- Discuss BigQuery and Looker integration for real-time reporting
- Describe the value of real-time streaming analytics
- Describe Pub/Sub and Dataflow for data pipeline modernization
3
Innovating with Google Cloud Artificial Intelligence
16%
AI and ML Fundamentals
AI and ML definitionsAI/ML vs data analytics and BITypes of problems ML can solveBusiness value of MLData quality for ML modelsExplainable and responsible AI
- Discuss main AI and ML concepts and explain how ML creates business value
- Define artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Differentiate AI/ML capabilities from data analytics and BI
- Discuss types of problems ML can solve
- Explain the business value ML creates
- Explain the importance of data quality for ML models
- Discuss explainable and responsible AI
Google Cloud's AI and ML Solutions
AI/ML solution selection tradeoffsGoogle Cloud AI/ML product selection
- Discuss the range of Google Cloud AI and ML solutions available
- Explain decision criteria for selecting AI/ML solutions
- Match business use cases to appropriate Google Cloud AI/ML products
Building and Using Google Cloud AI and ML Solutions
BigQuery MLGoogle Cloud Pre-trained APIsAutoML for custom model trainingVertex AI for custom modelsTensorFlow and Cloud TPU
- Explain how Google Cloud's pre-trained API, AutoML, and custom AI/ML products create business value
- Discuss BigQuery ML for SQL-based machine learning
- Select appropriate pre-trained APIs for business use cases
- Explain AutoML for custom model training with organizational data
- Discuss Vertex AI for building custom models
- Recognize TensorFlow and Cloud TPU roles in ML
4
Modernize Infrastructure and Applications with Google Cloud
17%
Cloud Modernization and Migration
Benefits of infrastructure and application modernizationCloud migration terminology
- Explain why modernization and migration are important for transformation
- Discuss benefits of infrastructure and application modernization using Google Cloud
- Define main cloud migration terms
Computing in the Cloud
Cloud compute terminologyBenefits of cloud compute workloadsCompute option choices and constraintsCompute EngineRehost migration for legacy applications
- Discuss options for and advantages of running compute workloads in the cloud
- Define main cloud compute terms
- Describe benefits and business value of cloud compute
- Explain choices and constraints between compute options
- Discuss Compute Engine business value
- Discuss rehost migration value for legacy applications
Serverless Computing
Benefits of serverless computingGoogle Cloud serverless products
- Discuss the advantages of serverless computing in application modernization
- Explain the benefits of serverless computing
- Discuss the business value of Google Cloud serverless products including Cloud Run, App Engine, and Cloud Functions
Containers in the Cloud
Modern cloud application developmentVMs vs containersContainers and microservices benefitsGoogle Cloud container products
- Discuss the advantages of using containers in application modernization
- Differentiate between VMs and containers
- Discuss benefits of containers and microservices
- Discuss business value of GKE and Cloud Run for container deployment
The Value of APIs
API definition and business valuePublic-facing APIs for business opportunitiesApigee API Management
- Explain the business value of APIs
- Define API
- Explain how organizations create business opportunities through public-facing APIs
- Discuss the business value of Apigee API Management
Hybrid and Multi-cloud
Hybrid and multi-cloud strategy reasonsGKE Enterprise for hybrid/multi-cloud management
- Discuss business reasons for hybrid or multi-cloud strategies
- Describe how GKE Enterprise enables hybrid and multi-cloud strategies
- Discuss use cases for hybrid and multi-cloud approaches
5
Trust and Security with Google Cloud
17%
Trust and Security in the Cloud
Top cybersecurity threatsCloud security vs on-premises securityCloud security fundamentalsSecurity terminology
- Discuss fundamental cloud security concepts
- Describe top cybersecurity threats and business implications
- Differentiate cloud security from traditional on-premises security
- Describe the importance of control, compliance, confidentiality, integrity, and availability
- Define key security terms and concepts
Google's Trusted Infrastructure
Google's custom data center securityEncryption and data protectionAuthentication, authorization, and auditingTwo-step verification and IAMNetwork attack protectionSecurity Operations (SecOps)
- Explain the business value of Google's defense-in-depth multilayered approach
- Describe benefits of Google's custom data center infrastructure
- Describe encryption's role in data security across different states
- Differentiate between authentication, authorization, and auditing
- Describe benefits of 2SV and IAM
- Describe DDoS protection using Google Cloud Armor
- Define Security Operations in the cloud
Google Cloud's Trust Principles and Compliance
Google Cloud trust principlesTransparency and third-party auditsData sovereignty and residencyCompliance resources
- Describe how Google Cloud earns and maintains customer trust
- Discuss Google Cloud trust principles
- Describe transparency reports and third-party audits
- Describe data sovereignty and residency capabilities
- Describe Google Cloud compliance resource center and Compliance Reports Manager
6
Scaling with Google Cloud Operations
17%
Financial Governance and Managing Cloud Costs
Cloud financial governance best practicesCloud cost management terminologyResource hierarchy for access controlResource quotas and budgetsCloud Billing Reports
- Discuss how Google Cloud supports financial governance and cost control
- Discuss cloud financial governance best practices
- Define important cloud cost-management terms
- Discuss resource hierarchy benefits for access control
- Describe resource quotas and budget threshold rules
- Discuss cost visualization with Cloud Billing Reports
Operational Excellence and Reliability at Scale
Modernizing operations with Google CloudCloud operations terminologyResilient and fault-tolerant infrastructureCloud reliability, DevOps, and SREGoogle Cloud Customer CareSupport case lifecycle
- Discuss fundamental concepts of modern operations, reliability, and resilience in the cloud
- Describe the benefits of modernizing operations with Google Cloud
- Define important cloud operations terms
- Describe the importance of resilient, fault-tolerant, and scalable infrastructure
- Define key cloud reliability, DevOps, and SRE terms
- Describe how Google Cloud Customer Care supports cloud adoption
- Describe the lifecycle of a support case
Sustainability with Google Cloud
Google Cloud sustainability commitmentGoogle Cloud sustainability products
- Discuss how Google Cloud helps organizations meet sustainability goals
- Describe Google Cloud's commitment to sustainability
- Discuss sustainability products and features available in Google Cloud
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CLOUD-DIGITAL-LEADER earns the Google Cloud Certified - Cloud Digital Leader certification. It sits in the Foundational track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
- Associate-Cloud-Engineer - Associate Cloud EngineerNatural next step to gain hands-on Google Cloud operational skills
- Professional-Cloud-Architect - Professional Cloud ArchitectFor those targeting architecture and design roles with Google Cloud
- Professional-Data-Engineer - Professional Data EngineerFor those interested in data engineering and BigQuery specialization
- Professional-Cloud-Developer - Professional Cloud DeveloperFor software developers building applications on Google Cloud
- Professional-Cloud-Security-Engineer - Professional Cloud Security EngineerFor those focused on cloud security and compliance
- Professional-Machine-Learning-Engineer - Professional Machine Learning EngineerFor those interested in ML/AI engineering on Google Cloud
- Professional-Cloud-Network-Engineer - Professional Cloud Network EngineerFor network engineers working with Google Cloud infrastructure
- Professional-Cloud-Database-Engineer - Professional Cloud Database EngineerFor database administrators and engineers working with Google Cloud databases
- Professional-Cloud-DevOps-Engineer - Professional Cloud DevOps EngineerFor DevOps engineers and SREs using Google Cloud
- Professional-Google-Workspace-Administrator - Professional Google Workspace Administrator For administrators managing Google Workspace environments
Alternative Paths
Generative-AI-Leader - Generative AI LeaderComplementary foundational certification focused on generative AI concepts and Google Cloud AI capabilities
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for CLOUD-DIGITAL-LEADER is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024-03-15
- Announcement date: 2024-01-15
Updates
- Vertex AI Latest Increased coverage in AI/ML section • Release date: 2024-06-01
- BigQuery ML GA New focus on SQL-based machine learning • Release date: 2024-01-01
- Carbon Footprint Reporting 2.0 Added to sustainability topics in operations domain • Release date: 2024-04-22
- GKE Enterprise Latest Replaces Anthos references for hybrid/multi-cloud • Release date: 2024-02-01
Who should take this exam?
- Experience collaborating with technical professionals
- No prior hands-on Google Cloud experience required
- Basic understanding of business concepts and cloud computing fundamentals