Google Launches Security Operations Engineer Cert: What You Should Know
Google recently launched the Professional Security Operations Engineers (PSOE) certification for Google Cloud professionals. The PSOE certification is designed for IT professionals who build secure systems using Google Cloud and actively defend them.
To pass the exam, you must demonstrate advanced knowledge of Google Cloud resources and show that you can use them to strengthen your company’s defense against cyberthreats. But what does this new cert cover—and is it right for you? Here's what you need to know.
Why Google Introduced the Professional Security Operations Engineer Certification
With the increasing use of the cloud for storing, accessing, and sharing data, companies are looking for experts with cloud security certifications. With the PSOE, Google is training IT professionals how to handle cyberattacks using Google Cloud security tools. It’s your chance to build a career in Google Cloud security and prove you can lead under pressure.
Core Exam Coverage of the PSOE Certification
The PSOE exam covers these six core domains:
Platform Operations (14%): Set up access and use system data to help with detection and response.
Data Management (14%): Collect logs and identify and measure baselines.
Threat Hunting (19%): Look for threats ahead of time and apply threat intelligence.
Detection Engineering (22%): Develop the criteria and notifications for spotting risks.
Incident Response (21%): Investigate threats, create playbooks, and oversee cases
Observability (10%): Create dashboards, check system viability, and install alerts.
Recommended Skills Before Taking the PSOE
There are no formal prerequisites, but Google recommends this certification for experienced IT professionals. Ideally, you should have at least three years of experience in the security industry and at least one year using Google Cloud security tools.
You should be able to handle tasks that require a high degree of accumulated knowledge and workplace experience, such as detection engineering, threat hunting, and response automation.
If you’re just starting, you may want to earn a more general cybersecurity certification before attempting the PSOE certification. A good option is CBT Nuggets' Google Cloud IAM Best Practices. This beginner-friendly course will teach you how to manage identities and access in your Google Cloud resources.
Exam Cost, Format, and Schedule
The PSOE exam costs $200 plus tax. The exam is in English. You can expect 50–60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions, with two hours to complete the test.
You can take the exam online with remote proctoring or onsite at a testing center. Once you pass this Google Cloud exam, your certification is valid for two years. You can renew it through Google’s standard renewal process.
How to Prepare for the PSOE Exam
Start your prep by downloading and reviewing the official exam guide from Google Cloud. It outlines every domain and skill area you’ll need to know—think of it as your roadmap for study time. Make sure you’re comfortable with topics like threat detection, incident response, compliance, and cloud security controls.
Next, get hands-on practice. Google Cloud’s Skill Boost platform offers online labs, sample questions, and challenges that mirror real-world tasks you’ll face on the exam. Don’t just memorize commands—focus on understanding why specific configurations or responses work.
To strengthen your foundation, consider supplementing with external training. CBT Nuggets courses in cloud security, information security, and incident response align closely with the PSOE exam objectives. They help you get comfortable with tools like Security Command Center, Cloud Logging, and Chronicle Security Operations.
Finally, build a study plan that balances theory with practice. For example:
Week 1–2: Review the exam guide and brush up on Google Cloud security basics.
Week 3–4: Complete labs and identify weak areas.
Week 5+: Take practice exams and revisit topics that trip you up.
The PSOE exam tests applied knowledge, not just memorization—so the more you can simulate real-world problem-solving, the more confident you’ll feel on test day.
Why the PSOE Exam Matters to Your Career
Becoming a certified Professional Security Operations Engineer does more than add another line on your résumé. It proves that you can write detection rules, hunt for threats, and manage real-time incidents in Google Cloud. This means you’re qualified for security roles that demand hands-on skills, not just theoretical knowledge. For employers, it means hiring someone who can actively strengthen their cloud defenses from day one.
Want to learn more about Google Cloud? Start with CBT Nuggets Google Cloud Digital Leader online course. Your path to becoming a trusted security operations engineer starts today.
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