Google Associate Cloud EngineerSetting up a cloud solution environmentMedium

A security auditor needs to verify that a Google Cloud project is correctly configured to prevent accidental deletion. They specifically want to ensure that the project itself cannot be deleted by anyone, including project owners, without first removing a specific lock. Which Google Cloud feature provides this protection?

  1. ACloud Audit Logs to monitor project deletion attempts.
  2. BOrganization Policy Service with a 'prevent deletion' constraint.
  3. CIAM Conditions to deny `project.delete` permission.
  4. DProject deletion lock (resource lock).
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. Project deletion lock (resource lock).

Google Cloud's Project deletion lock (a type of resource lock) is specifically designed to prevent accidental deletion of a project. When applied, even project owners cannot delete the project until the lock is explicitly removed, providing a strong safeguard against unintended data loss.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Cloud Audit Logs only monitor and record events; they do not prevent actions from occurring.
  • B. Organization Policy Service primarily enforces constraints on resource configurations and locations, not on the deletion of the project itself in this manner. There isn't a direct 'prevent project deletion' constraint at the Org Policy level for individual projects, rather it's handled by Resource Manager locks.
  • C. While IAM Conditions can deny permissions, a dedicated project deletion lock is a more robust and explicit mechanism for this specific use case.

GCP Project Deletion Lock

A Google Cloud project deletion lock is a type of resource lock that prevents a project from being deleted until the lock is explicitly removed, even by project owners.

  • Protects against accidental project deletion.
  • Must be explicitly removed before project deletion is possible.
  • Applies to the entire project resource.

Memory trick: To 'lock' a project from 'deletion', use the 'deletion lock'.

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