# Cis GCP Foundations 4.11

> Ensure That Compute Instances Have Confidential Computing Enabled

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-foundations-4-11` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-foundations-4-11`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-foundations-4-11/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gcp-foundations-4-11

---


# 4.11 Ensure That Compute Instances Have Confidential Computing Enabled (Automated)

## Profile Applicability

- Level 2

## Description

Google Cloud encrypts data at-rest and in-transit, but customer data must be decrypted for processing. Confidential Computing is a breakthrough technology that encrypts data in-use while it is being processed. Confidential Computing environments keep data encrypted in memory and elsewhere outside the central processing unit (CPU).

Confidential VMs leverage hardware-based memory encryption technologies, such as AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV), AMD SEV-SNP, and Intel Trust Domain Extensions (TDX), depending on the chosen machine type and CPU platform. Customer data will stay encrypted while it is used, indexed, queried, or trained on. Encryption keys are generated by and reside solely in dedicated hardware and are not exportable, enhancing isolation and security. Built-in hardware optimizations ensure Confidential Computing workloads experience minimal to no significant performance penalties.

## Rationale

Confidential Computing enables customers' sensitive code and other data encrypted in memory during processing. Google does not have access to the encryption keys. Confidential VM can help alleviate concerns about risk related to either dependency on Google infrastructure or Google insiders' access to customer data in the clear.

## Impact

- Confidential Computing for Compute instances does not support live migration. Unlike regular Compute instances, Confidential VMs experience disruptions during maintenance events like a software or hardware update.
- Additional charges may be incurred when enabling this security feature. See https://cloud.google.com/compute/confidential-vm/pricing for more info.

## Audit

Note: Confidential Computing is currently only supported on limited VM configurations. To learn more about VM configurations supported by Confidential Computing, visit https://cloud.google.com/confidential-computing/confidential-vm/docs/supported-configurations.

### From Google Cloud Console

1. Go to the `VM instances` page by visiting: https://console.cloud.google.com/compute/instances.
2. Click on the instance name to see its VM instance details page.
3. Ensure that `Confidential VM service` is `Enabled`.

### From Google Cloud CLI

1. List the instances in your project and get details on each instance:

```
gcloud compute instances list --format=json
```

2. Ensure that `enableConfidentialCompute` is set to `true` for all instances with machine type starting with "n2d-".

```yaml
confidentialInstanceConfig:
  enableConfidentialCompute: true
```

## Remediation

Confidential Computing can only be enabled when an instance is created. You must delete the current instance and create a new one.

### From Google Cloud Console

1. Go to the VM instances page by visiting: https://console.cloud.google.com/compute/instances.
2. Click `CREATE INSTANCE`.
3. Fill out the desired configuration for your instance.
4. Under the `Confidential VM service` section, check the option `Enable the Confidential Computing service on this VM instance`.
5. Click `Create`.

### From Google Cloud CLI

Create a new instance with Confidential Compute enabled:

```
gcloud compute instances create <INSTANCE_NAME>  --zone <ZONE>  --confidential-compute  --maintenance-policy=TERMINATE
```

## Default Value

By default, Confidential Computing is disabled for Compute instances.

## References

1. https://cloud.google.com/compute/confidential-vm/docs/creating-cvm-instance
2. https://cloud.google.com/compute/confidential-vm/docs/about-cvm
3. https://cloud.google.com/confidential-computing
4. https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/identity-security/introducing-google-cloud-confidential-computing-with-confidential-vms

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                    | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 3.11 Encrypt Sensitive Data at Rest        |      | X    | X    |
| v7               | 14.8 Encrypt Sensitive Information at Rest |      |      | X    |