Skip to main content

Home Google Cloud

Course

Introduction to Security Principles in Cloud Computing

IntermediateSkill Level

Updated 07/2026

In this course, you’ll explore the essentials of cybersecurity, including the security lifecycle, digital transformation, and key cloud computing concepts.

Start Course for Free

Google CloudCloud

18 hr 15 min

48 videos

193 Exercises

9,700 XP

Statement of Accomplishment

Loved by learners at thousands of companies

Training a Team?

Try for Business

Course Description

This is the first of five courses in the Google Cloud Cybersecurity Certificate. In this course, you’ll explore the essentials of cybersecurity, including the security lifecycle, digital transformation, and key cloud computing concepts. You’ll identify common tools used by entry-level cloud security analysts to automate tasks.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course

1

Introduction to cloud computing

In this module, you’ll receive a comprehensive introduction to the Google Cloud Cybersecurity Certificate program. You’ll meet the instructors and familiarize yourself with the content types. This module sets the stage by defining the field of cloud computing in security, contrasting it with on-premises computing, and highlighting the core skills and essential tools.

Welcome to the Google Cloud Cybersecurity Certificate

Google Cloud Cybersecurity Certificate overview

Introduction to Course 1

Course 1 overview

Helpful resources and tips

Lab technical tips

Explore your course 1 scenario: Cymbal Bank

Welcome to module 1

Ben: The cloud's impact on education

Composition of the cloud

Cloud deployment models

Google’s trusted infrastructure

Cloud benefits and considerations

Cloud benefits and limitations

Test your knowledge: Introduction to the cloud — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Introduction to the cloud — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Introduction to the cloud — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Introduction to the cloud — Question 4

Ephemerality and cloud resources

Virtualization and virtual machines

Serverless computing

Containerization

Test your knowledge: Compute in the cloud — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Compute in the cloud — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Compute in the cloud — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Compute in the cloud — Question 4

Cloud storage benefits

Types of storage in the cloud

Google’s storage options

Test your knowledge: Secure cloud data storage — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Secure cloud data storage — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Secure cloud data storage — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Secure cloud data storage — Question 4

Glossary terms from module 1

Module 1 challenge — Question 1

Module 1 challenge — Question 2

Module 1 challenge — Question 3

Module 1 challenge — Question 4

Module 1 challenge — Question 5

Module 1 challenge — Question 6

Module 1 challenge — Question 7

Module 1 challenge — Question 8

Module 1 challenge — Question 9

Module 1 challenge — Question 10

2

Security in the cloud

In this module, you’ll explore the intricate balance of security responsibilities between the cloud service provider (CSP) and the customer, delving into the shared responsibility and shared fate models. You’ll gain insights into different service models like infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS). Core security concepts, such as defense in depth and networking, are covered to emphasize how the approach to security should be layered and multi-faceted.

Welcome to module 2

[Supplemental] Cybersecurity fundamentals

Cloud defense in depth

Controls that contribute to security depth

Test your knowledge: The importance of layering security — Question 1

Test your knowledge: The importance of layering security — Question 2

Test your knowledge: The importance of layering security — Question 3

Test your knowledge: The importance of layering security — Question 4

The shared responsibility model

Shared responsibility challenges

Shared responsibility and cloud migration

The shared fate model

Test your knowledge: The shared responsibility and shared fate models — Question 1

Test your knowledge: The shared responsibility and shared fate models — Question 2

Test your knowledge: The shared responsibility and shared fate models — Question 3

Test your knowledge: The shared responsibility and shared fate models — Question 4

Test your knowledge: The shared responsibility and shared fate models — Question 5

An overview of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS

Infrastructure as a service

Platform as a service

Software as a service

Test your knowledge: Cloud computing service models — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Cloud computing service models — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Cloud computing service models — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Cloud computing service models — Question 4

IAM policies provide security depth

IAM in the cloud

Explore the Google Cloud console

Test your knowledge: Identity and access management (IAM) — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Identity and access management (IAM) — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Identity and access management (IAM) — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Identity and access management (IAM) — Question 4

Networking fundamentals

[Supplemental] Network fundamentals

Firewalls for network security

Key concepts of virtual private clouds

Test your knowledge: Networks in the cloud — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Networks in the cloud — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Networks in the cloud — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Networks in the cloud — Question 4

Glossary terms from module 2

Module 2 challenge — Question 1

Module 2 challenge — Question 2

Module 2 challenge — Question 3

Module 2 challenge — Question 4

Module 2 challenge — Question 5

Module 2 challenge — Question 6

Module 2 challenge — Question 7

Module 2 challenge — Question 8

Module 2 challenge — Question 9

Module 2 challenge — Question 10

3

The security lifecycle

In this module, you’ll dive into the security lifecycle pertaining to DevSecOps, infrastructure as code, and the software supply chain. You’ll also be introduced to tools that cloud security analysts use to automate tasks.

Welcome to module 3

Dayo: Life as a security engineer

An overview of DevSecOps

DevSecOps in action

Test your knowledge: Introduction to DevSecOps — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Introduction to DevSecOps — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Introduction to DevSecOps — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Introduction to DevSecOps — Question 4

Software pipelines

The CI/CD pipeline

Software pipelines and Google’s Cloud Build

Test your knowledge: Software pipelines — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Software pipelines — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Software pipelines — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Software pipelines — Question 4

Introduction to the software supply chain

Levels of the software supply chain

Strengthen the supply chain with Software Delivery Shield

Test your knowledge: Software supply chain security — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Software supply chain security — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Software supply chain security — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Software supply chain security — Question 4

Infrastructure as code (IaC) in the cloud

An overview of policy as code

Terraform as an IaC tool

Activity: Manage IaC with Terraform

Activity Quiz: Manage IaC with Terraform — Question 1

Activity Quiz: Manage IaC with Terraform — Question 2

Activity Quiz: Manage IaC with Terraform — Question 3

Activity Quiz: Manage IaC with Terraform — Question 4

IaC in the GitOps framework

Test your knowledge: Infrastructure and policies as code — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Infrastructure and policies as code — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Infrastructure and policies as code — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Infrastructure and policies as code — Question 4

Glossary terms from module 3

Module 3 challenge — Question 1

Module 3 challenge — Question 2

Module 3 challenge — Question 3

Module 3 challenge — Question 4

Module 3 challenge — Question 5

Module 3 challenge — Question 6

Module 3 challenge — Question 7

Module 3 challenge — Question 8

Module 3 challenge — Question 9

Module 3 challenge — Question 10

4

Cloud security analyst roles and responsibilities

In this module, you’ll gain an overview of the roles and responsibilities of cloud security analysts. You’ll also examine the analyst’s function in the cloud security team ecosystem.

Welcome to module 4

Introduction to the cloud security analyst’s role

Cloud security analyst job titles

Test your knowledge: The cloud security analyst’s role in cloud computing — Question 1

Test your knowledge: The cloud security analyst’s role in cloud computing — Question 2

Test your knowledge: The cloud security analyst’s role in cloud computing — Question 3

Test your knowledge: The cloud security analyst’s role in cloud computing — Question 4

Cloud security analyst job responsibilities

Core cloud security analyst responsibilities

Test your knowledge: Cloud security analyst responsibilities — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Cloud security analyst responsibilities — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Cloud security analyst responsibilities — Question 3

The security ecosystem

[Supplemental] Workplace communication and collaboration

Communicate with stakeholders

Cloud security stakeholders

Core skills for cloud cybersecurity analysts

Test your knowledge: The cloud security ecosystem — Question 1

Test your knowledge: The cloud security ecosystem — Question 2

Test your knowledge: The cloud security ecosystem — Question 3

Test your knowledge: The cloud security ecosystem — Question 4

Common tools in the cloud analyst’s toolkit

Useful Google Cloud tools

Introduction to artificial intelligence

Cloud Shell overview

Guide to Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)

Create a VPC using Cloud Shell

Test your knowledge: Cloud security tools — Question 1

Test your knowledge: Cloud security tools — Question 2

Test your knowledge: Cloud security tools — Question 3

Test your knowledge: Cloud security tools — Question 4

Chris: Key points for cloud security interviews

Chris and Kevin: Interview role play

Interview tip: Demonstrate your thought process

Glossary terms from module 4

Module 4 challenge — Question 1

Module 4 challenge — Question 2

Module 4 challenge — Question 3

Module 4 challenge — Question 4

Module 4 challenge — Question 5

Module 4 challenge — Question 6

Module 4 challenge — Question 7

Module 4 challenge — Question 8

Module 4 challenge — Question 9

Module 4 challenge — Question 10

Course wrap-up

Course 1 Resources and Citations

Glossary terms from course 1

Introduction to Security Principles in Cloud Computing

Course
Complete

Earn Statement of Accomplishment

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance reviewEnroll Now

Join over 19 million learners and start Introduction to Security Principles in Cloud Computing today!

Grow your data skills with DataCamp for Mobile

Make progress on the go with our mobile courses and daily 5-minute coding challenges.