The Cloud Digital Leader training encompasses a comprehensive course series aimed at providing foundational knowledge in cloud technology and data. This program offers a detailed overview of Google Cloud products and services essential for driving digital transformation within organizations. By completing this training, you and your team will be equipped to actively contribute to various cloud-related business initiatives throughout your organization.

Who should opt for this certification?

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, cloud computing has emerged as a transformative force that is reshaping the way businesses operate and individuals access and manage data. Understanding cloud computing is increasingly becoming essential for professionals across various industries. Learning about cloud computing is valuable for a wide range of professionals, from technical specialists and business leaders to those focused on finance, security, and collaboration.

Let's get started

To get started, head on to the Google Cloud Skills Boost website.

https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/9

This is a no-cost learning path that guides you through a curated collection of on-demand courses, labs, and skill badges that provide you with real-world, hands-on experience using Google Cloud technologies essential to the Cloud Digital Leader role.

Let's break down the modules ⚙️

The Cloud Digital Leader exam assesses your knowledge in these areas:

• Digital transformation with Google Cloud (~10% of the exam)

• Innovating with data and Google Cloud (~30% of the exam)

• Infrastructure and application modernization (~30% of the exam)

• Google Cloud security and operations (~30% of the exam)

Digital transformation with Google Cloud

In our first module, we're taking a journey into the realm of Cloud Computing, breaking down the language and concepts that often surround it. We'll be exploring terms like public cloud and private cloud, offering clarity on what these mean in the context of Cloud Computing.

Key terms: Cloud, cloud technology, compute power, computing, data, innovation

Focus areas for the exam:

• The difference between cloud and traditional or on-premises technology

• How customer expectations have changed as a result of cloud technology

• Considerations that organizations need to think about when adopting cloud technology

Innovating with Data and Google Cloud

Within this module, we'll delve into the diverse array of tools offered by Google designed specifically for data storage, business analytics, and the exciting realm of machine learning.

Key terms: Data, data management, structured data, unstructured data, databases, data warehouses, data lakes, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data coverage, data cleanliness/ consistency, and data completeness

Focus areas for the exam:

• How cloud technology enables data to be applied in new ways

• The benefits of storing and managing data in the cloud

• Appropriate use cases for data solutions

• How Google Cloud data products create business insights

• The importance of data quality in ML

Infrastructure and Application Modernization with Google Cloud

This module talks about the advanced tools offered by Google, with a primary emphasis on containerization. Additionally, we'll unravel the complexities of multi-cloud infrastructure and delve into the strategic utilization of APIs within the Google Cloud ecosystem.

Key terms: Infrastructure modernization, hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, virtual machines, containers, serverless computing, applications, APIs

Focus areas for the exam:

• The benefits of modernizing infrastructure with cloud technology

• The difference between different architectures and compute options

• Google Cloud solutions for infrastructure modernization and application modernization

• The benefits of cloud-native applications and change patterns

• How APIs modernize legacy systems and create new business value

• The benefits of Apigee

Understanding Google Cloud Security and Operations

This module covers the fundamentals of cloud cost management. It examines the shared responsibility model and covers how Google Cloud resource monitoring tools such as Cloud Identity, Cloud Debugger, and Cloud Logging can help them to maintain visibility, accountability, control, and intelligence over their cloud environment.

Key terms: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), visibility, accountability, control, intelligence, privacy, availability, security, control, shared responsibility model, resource hierarchy, SLO, SLA, SLI, DevOps, SRE, downtime, monitoring, logging, phishing attack, physical damage, malware and viruses, unsecured third party systems, expert knowledge, data at rest, data in transit, encryption at rest, encryption in transit, zero trust model, least privileged model

Focus areas for the exam:

• How cloud technology impacts TCO

• Cost management strategies

• Fundamental cloud security terms and top cybersecurity threats

• Security with Google Cloud

• DevOps and SRE

• Cloud resource monitoring and application performance management

Next steps...

Now that you've gained a solid understanding of various cloud concepts, it's time to gear up for exam preparation. Fortunately, there are several options available, and I have a few recommendations for you.

https://www.exampro.co/gcp-cdl

One excellent resource is Andrew's comprehensive course on Google Cloud Digital Leader, which provides additional insights for your preparation journey. This course includes valuable materials such as notes, cheat sheets, and flashcards, all meticulously updated to align with the latest exam pattern.

If you're looking to save on the entire course cost, which is approximately $24, consider exploring an alternative valuable resource authored by Sarah Walker. Her concise and well-crafted book is an excellent option, especially if you're pressed for time. The book not only provides comprehensive content but also includes some sample questions at the end, adding an extra layer of assistance for your exam preparation.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10yMTxjhAAriZUTLcnyCeS4zBWXX_8DkAGYYYALQe0VE/edit#heading=h.771m7i6lg1ef

If you feel confident in your conceptual understanding and are looking specifically for practice questions, I've got you covered.

https://www.examtopics.com/exams/google/cloud-digital-leader/view/1/

Visit Examtopics for a collection of practice questions tailored to enhance your readiness for the exam. It consists of 199 previously asked exam questions which will not only help you prepare but will also give you an idea as to what kind of questions are being asked.

Final thoughts 💭

Although it is a beginner-level course with no prior knowledge required, it is still a very challenging exam, mainly because of the way the questions are framed. It is a multiple-choice exam that can be taken online, and the passing score is 70%.

When I took the exam, I was asked to answer 50 MCQs in 90 minutes. I think it is very important to stay calm throughout the exam. The questions are just a little tricky but you can easily crack it if you give each question ample time.

Wishing you the very best for your exam! Stay calm; you're just one step away from achieving the esteemed title of Google Cloud Digital Leader. You've got this!