Tag: google

Google Cloud’s New Tricks: Don’t Just Trust It, Prove It! Attestation, Live Migration on Google Cloud
Attestation, Live Migration on Google Cloud

Ever feel like your data in the cloud has trust issues? It’s not surprising. You send your important information off to a server somewhere, and you just have to hope it’s being kept safe. Well, Google Cloud is working hard to make that trust a little less blind and a lot more verifiable.

In the world of Confidential Computing—which is basically a super-secure VIP lounge for your data—Google Cloud just announced some cool new features that boil down to two main things: proving your stuff is secure, and moving it around without shutting it down.

Let’s break it down.

Meet Attestation: Your Cloud’s Security ID

So, how do you really know your sensitive data is running in a protected, tamper-proof environment? You could just take Google’s word for it, but they’d rather you have solid proof. That’s where Attestation comes in.

Think of Attestation as a bouncer for your data’s VIP lounge. Before anything happens, it checks the ID of the hardware and the environment. It verifies a few key things:
- Is the hardware legit? It confirms you’re running on real, authentic Google Cloud hardware, not some knock-off.
- Has anyone messed with it? It checks that the secure environment (the “Trusted Execution Environment” or TEE) hasn’t been compromised.
- Is it following the rules? It ensures everything inside that secure bubble is sticking to the highest security standards.
Once the check is complete, Google gives you a cryptographically signed “claims token.” It’s like a digital certificate of authenticity that you can show to other services to prove your workload is secure. You can even get a “second opinion” from a third party like the Intel Tiber Trust Authority, which is great for industries like finance and healthcare that need to be extra careful. It’s so trustworthy, it comes with its own references!

Smooth Moves with Live Migration

Security is great, but what about when you need to do maintenance? In the past, updating the server your secure workload was running on often meant… well, turning it off. That’s a bit of a party foul for any business that needs to be online 24/7.

Enter Live Migration for Confidential GKE Nodes.

This is the digital equivalent of pulling the tablecloth out from under a full set of dishes without a single thing rattling. Google can now move your entire running, secure application from one physical server to another without any downtime.

The best part? Your data stays encrypted the whole time, even while it’s in transit between the two machines. It’s all handled automatically in the background. If you’re using the right kind of Confidential GKE nodes (the AMD-based ones), this feature is now on by default. It’s security that doesn’t get in the way of business.

So there you have it. Google Cloud is making it easier to not only keep your secrets secret but also to prove it to anyone who asks, all while keeping the lights on.

Summary of Key Points
- Google Cloud Attestation: A new service that provides verifiable proof that your workloads are running in a genuine, secure, and untampered Trusted Execution Environment (TEE).
- Third-Party Verification: For customers needing separation of duties, Google now supports third-party attestation through the Intel Tiber Trust Authority (ITA) for certain virtual machines.
- Live Migration for Confidential GKE: Secure container workloads running on Confidential GKE Nodes can now be moved to a different host machine for maintenance without any service interruption or downtime.
- Continuous Encryption: During Live Migration, the memory of the virtual machine remains encrypted, ensuring data is protected even while in transit between physical hosts.
- General Availability: Live Migration for AMD-SEV based Confidential GKE Nodes is now generally available and enabled by default on supported GKE versions.
Relevance to Primary Users
- For Chief Security/Information Officers (CSOs/CIOs): These updates provide a clear, verifiable way to meet stringent compliance and regulatory requirements. The ability to prove the integrity of the cloud environment to auditors is a major benefit.
- For IT and Operations Teams: Live Migration is a game-changer. It dramatically reduces operational overhead by eliminating the need for planned downtime during host maintenance, increasing application uptime and reliability.
- For Developers: With security features like Attestation and Live Migration working seamlessly in the background, developers can focus on building applications without having to become deep security experts.
- For Businesses in Regulated Industries (e.g., Healthcare, Finance, Web3): The addition of operator-independent attestation via Intel provides the “separation of duties” required to build trust and operate confidently in a Zero Trust framework.
- For All Cloud Users: These innovations make the cloud a safer and more agile place for sensitive data, building confidence that information processed in Google Cloud is protected by default, in use, and now, even when it’s on the move.
21 July 2025
What is NotebookLM? The Unsung AI Hero to Organize Your Life

You’ve heard of Gemini, you’ve probably had a chinwag with ChatGPT, but what if I told you there’s a secret AI weapon hiding in plain sight? It’s called NotebookLM, and no, I didn’t just make it up. While the big-name AIs are busy trying to write sonnets and plan world domination, this quiet hero is ready to actually organize your life.

So, what is NotebookLM? Think of it as your own personal AI expert that’s only interested in your stuff. You provide the source material – documents, web links, PDFs, your own notes – and it becomes a specialist on that information. It’s like having a super-smart assistant who has read all your important documents and is ready to give you answers with citations, sticking only to the script you gave it. This makes it an incredibly powerful and reliable productivity tool.

Still not seeing how this fits into your day-to-day? Well, let me tell you, this tool is more versatile than a dad at a BBQ with a new multi-tool.

For the Students (and the Eternally Curious)

Remember those late-night study sessions, surrounded by a fortress of textbooks and scribbled notes? With NotebookLM, you can upload all your course materials – lecture notes, research papers, and essential PDFs. Then, the magic happens. Ask it to create flashcards, whip up a practice quiz, or explain a complex topic simply. It’s like having a tutor who never gets tired of your questions and always shows you where it found the answer.

For the Homeowner Who Can’t Find Anything

Where’s the manual for the washing machine? Is it in that mystery drawer with the random batteries? Instead of an archaeological dig through 200 pages of warnings, just upload your manuals to NotebookLM. Next time you have an issue, simply ask, “How do I clean the filter?” and get a straight answer. You’ll have more time for important things, like wondering where the TV remote went this time.

For the Creative Genius (and Weekend Hobbyist)

Are you writing a novel, developing a game, or meticulously planning your model railway? NotebookLM is a creator’s dream. Upload all your world-building notes, character backstories, and plot outlines. You can then ask it things like, “What is the main character’s primary motivation?” or “Remind me of the key events in Chapter 3.” It keeps your lore consistent so you can focus on creating. It’s also perfect for hobbyists; upload schematics, historical articles, or project plans to keep your passion project on track.

For the Savvy Job Seeker

The job hunt can be a grind. Level up your strategy by uploading the job description and your CV into NotebookLM. You can then ask it to identify key skills the employer is looking for or “Generate interview questions based on this job spec and my resume.” It helps you tailor your application and walk into that interview more prepared than ever. Why did the scarecrow get the job? He was outstanding in his field. You will be too.

Decoding the Fine Print of Life

Insurance policies are famously as clear as mud. Are you covered for an accidental karate kick to the garden gnome? Upload your policy to NotebookLM to quickly search and ask questions in plain English. This isn’t just for insurance; think mortgage agreements, rental contracts, or any dense legal document you need to understand.

Holiday & Event Planning Made Easy

Planning a family trip or a big event can feel like herding cats. With NotebookLM, create a central hub for all your details: flight confirmations, hotel bookings, schedules, and guest lists. Now, everyone involved can access the “what” and “where” without having to ask you for the hundredth time. It might just save your sanity.

Keeping Your Wheels on the Road

Your car is more than a car; it’s a rolling collection of paperwork. Upload your insurance, MOT certificates, tax reminders, and the manual. Quickly check when your tax is due, find out what that weird light on the dashboard means, or get a summary of your service history. It’s like having a personal mechanic who lives in your computer.

For the World of Work

Imagine your engineers are on-site. Instead of lugging around bulky manuals, they can access all installation instructions via NotebookLM on their device. Better yet, they can add their own notes and tips for future jobs, creating a living document that helps new starters get up to speed in no time. For website managers, you can upload privacy policies, content guidelines, and site structures to keep the whole team on the same page.

So, the next time you’re talking about AI, don’t forget to mention the incredibly practical, endlessly useful, and refreshingly simple NotebookLM. It might not be the flashiest tool in the box, but it’s the one you’ll find yourself using day in and day out to make your life easier. Give it a try—you might just find it’s the AI sidekick you never knew you needed. And that’s no joke.

18 July 2025