Credential: Cloud Digital Leader
Issued by: Google Cloud
Level: Foundational
Ideal for:
Business stakeholders
IT decision-makers
Non-technical roles
Beginners in cloud computing
Cross-functional leaders involved in digital transformation
🧾 Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Multiple-choice, multiple-select |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Location | Online (proctored) or at a test center via Kryterion |
| Language | English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), French, Indonesian |
| Cost | $99 USD |
| Validity | 3 years |
| No prerequisites | Anyone can take the exam |
🧠 What You’ll Learn
The Digital Leader certification focuses on how Google Cloud supports digital transformation using cloud technologies. It’s non-technical and emphasizes strategic and business applications.
📚 Exam Domains & Weight
Digital Transformation with Google Cloud (10–15%)
Innovating with Data and Google Cloud (30–35%)
Infrastructure and Application Modernization (30–35%)
Google Cloud Security and Operations (20–25%)
📅 4-Week Study Plan
🧭 Week 1: Cloud Fundamentals & Digital Transformation
Topics to Cover:
What is cloud computing?
Benefits of cloud (cost, speed, scale, innovation)
Key cloud service models: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
Google Cloud’s role in digital transformation
Google Cloud regions, zones, and resource hierarchy
Resources:
✅ Digital Transformation with Google Cloud course (Qwiklabs)
🧭 Week 2: Data & AI/ML Innovation on GCP
Topics to Cover:
Data analytics and data warehouse modernization
BigQuery basics and use cases
AI/ML capabilities and business applications
Smart analytics reference architecture
Responsible AI principles
Resources:
BigQuery demos on Qwiklabs
Google Cloud’s smart analytics and Looker overview
AI & ML courses in Google Cloud Skill Boost
🧭 Week 3: Infrastructure Modernization
Topics to Cover:
Compute services: App Engine, Compute Engine, GKE (Kubernetes), Cloud Functions
Storage options: Cloud Storage, Filestore, Persistent Disks
Application modernization strategies (monolith to microservices)
Hybrid and multicloud with Anthos
Resources:
Google Cloud Infrastructure Modernization course
Hands-on demos (Qwiklabs / Skill Boost)
🧭 Week 4: Security, Operations, and Practice Tests
Topics to Cover:
Shared Responsibility Model
Security tools: IAM, VPC Service Controls, Cloud KMS
Operations suite (formerly Stackdriver)
Compliance and governance
Cost management with Billing and Budgets
Resources:
Google Cloud Security Overview course
Google Cloud Cost Management essentials
Official Practice Assessment from Google Cloud:
Take the practice test here
✅ Key Skills to Master
Identify business use cases for GCP products
Explain how GCP enables smarter decision-making with data
Articulate benefits of infrastructure modernization
Discuss GCP’s security and compliance capabilities
Translate customer challenges into GCP value propositions
📝 Practice Questions (Sample)
What are key benefits of cloud adoption for business agility?
How does BigQuery help customers with real-time analytics?
Which GCP service would you recommend for deploying containerized apps?
How does IAM help secure access in Google Cloud?
What is the benefit of using Anthos in hybrid cloud environments?
🛠️ Helpful Tools and Tips
📘 Glossary: Understand terms like containers, data lakes, ML ops, serverless
🧠 Flashcards: Use digital tools like Anki or Quizlet to reinforce concepts
🎧 Podcasts/Webinars: Google Cloud Platform podcast & events
🎯 Final Week Checklist
✅ Complete Google’s official Digital Leader learning path
✅ Take 2–3 full-length practice tests
✅ Review weak topics (e.g., billing, operations, AI/ML services)
✅ Get familiar with real-world GCP use cases
✅ Register for the exam via Google Cloud’s Certification Portal
📈 Certification Benefits
Establish foundational cloud literacy
Validate your understanding of Google Cloud’s capabilities
Position yourself for further certifications (e.g., Associate Cloud Engineer, Professional Cloud Architect)
Improve collaboration between technical and business teams
