In transitioning to Google Cloud, what is essential for ensuring only trusted containers are deployed?

Deploying from a managed Container Registry and signing images is critical in ensuring that only trusted containers are deployed in a Google Cloud environment. This practice involves using a secure, managed repository for storing container images, which provides an extra layer of security by allowing users to manage access and permissions effectively.

By signing images, you verify the authenticity and integrity of the images before they are deployed. This means that only images that have been validated and are known to originate from a trusted source can be used. This significantly reduces the risk of deploying malicious or compromised containers that could jeopardize the security of your applications and data.

On the other hand, using public container images does not guarantee their safety, as they could be modified maliciously and still appear to be legitimate. Allowing any user to deploy images without restrictions compromises control over what is being deployed, increasing vulnerability to unauthorized access or deployment of harmful code. Finally, utilizing container images without signature verification eliminates safeguards that help ensure that only verified and trusted code is executed, posing significant security risks.

Thus, the strategy of deploying from a managed Container Registry and signing images is a best practice that effectively strengthens security in cloud environments, ensuring that only trusted containers make it into production.