Google CloudOverview
GCP Cloud Asset Inventory is a service that provides a historical view of GCP resources and IAM policies through a time-series database. The information recorded includes metadata on Google Cloud resources, metadata on policies set on Google Cloud projects or resources, and runtime information gathered within a Google Cloud resource.
Rationale
The GCP resources and IAM policies captured by GCP Cloud Asset Inventory enable security analysis, resource change tracking, and compliance auditing.
It is recommended GCP Cloud Asset Inventory be enabled for all GCP projects.
Remediation guidance
Remediation
From Console
Enable the Cloud Asset API:
- Go to
API & Services/Libraryby visiting https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library - Search for
Cloud Asset APIand select the result for Cloud Asset API - Click the
ENABLEbutton.
From Command Line
Enable the Cloud Asset API:
- Enable the Cloud Asset API through the services interface:
gcloud services enable cloudasset.googleapis.com
Default Value
The Cloud Asset Inventory API is disabled by default in each project.
Multiple Remediation Paths
Google Cloud
SERVICE-WIDE (RECOMMENDED when many resources are affected): Enforce Organization Policies at org/folder level so new resources inherit secure defaults.
gcloud org-policies set-policy policy.yaml
ASSET-LEVEL: Use the product-specific remediation steps above for only the impacted project/resources.
PREVENTIVE: Use org policy constraints/custom constraints and enforce checks in deployment pipelines.
References for Service-Wide Patterns
- GCP Organization Policy overview: https://cloud.google.com/resource-manager/docs/organization-policy/overview
- GCP Organization policy constraints catalog: https://cloud.google.com/resource-manager/docs/organization-policy/org-policy-constraints
- gcloud org-policies: https://cloud.google.com/sdk/gcloud/reference/org-policies
Operational Rollout Workflow
Use this sequence to reduce risk and avoid repeated drift.
1. Contain at Service-Wide Scope First (Recommended)
- Google Cloud: apply organization policy constraints at org/folder scope.
gcloud org-policies set-policy policy.yaml
2. Remediate Existing Affected Assets
- Execute the control-specific Console/CLI steps documented above for each flagged resource.
- Prioritize internet-exposed and production assets first.
3. Validate and Prevent Recurrence
- Re-scan after each remediation batch.
- Track exceptions with owner and expiry date.
- Add preventive checks in IaC/CI pipelines.
Query logic
These are the stored checks tied to this control.
Google Cloud Projects Without Asset Inventory
Connectors
Covered asset types
Expected check: eq []
{
projects(
where: { NOT: { enabledServices_INCLUDES: "cloudasset.googleapis.com" } }
) {
...AssetFragment
}
}
