CLF-C02 Cloud Concepts Practice Question
Which of the following is NOT one of the five characteristics of cloud computing as defined by NIST?
⚠ Common exam trap
AWS often tests the distinction between optional cloud deployment models (e.g., dedicated hosts, private cloud) and the mandatory NIST essential characteristics, leading candidates to mistakenly think dedicated hardware allocation is a required characteristic.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Dedicated hardware allocation per customer
The five essential characteristics of cloud computing as defined by NIST SP 800-145 are on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. Dedicated hardware allocation per customer is not a characteristic; instead, cloud computing relies on resource pooling where physical and virtual resources are dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand, often with multi-tenant models.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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On-demand self-service
Why it's wrong here
On-demand self-service is one of the five essential characteristics defined by NIST SP 800-145. It means a consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities—such as server time, storage, or network services—without requiring human interaction with each service provider. This capability enables immediate, automated resource acquisition and is a fundamental pillar of cloud computing, so it is not the correct answer.
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Resource pooling
Why it's wrong here
Resource pooling is also a NIST essential characteristic. The provider's computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand. There is a sense of location independence because customers generally have no control over the exact underlying location, but they can specify a higher-level abstraction such as country or data center. This is a defining feature of cloud, not something absent from NIST's definition.
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Dedicated hardware allocation per customer
Why this is correct
Dedicated hardware allocation per customer is not a NIST essential characteristic and actually contradicts the core concept of resource pooling. NIST's cloud model emphasizes shared, multi-tenant infrastructure where computing resources are pooled across consumers, not physically dedicated to a single customer. Although commercial offerings like AWS Dedicated Hosts or single-tenant instances exist, they are optional features that support compliance or licensing needs; they do not represent one of the five essential characteristics of cloud computing.
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Measured service
Why it's wrong here
Measured service is another NIST essential characteristic. Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service, such as storage, processing, bandwidth, or active user accounts. Resource usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and the consumer. Because this characteristic is explicitly listed in the NIST definition, it is not the exception the question asks for.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CLF-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CLF-C02 exam.