- A
Management of the runtime environment
Why wrong: The provider manages the runtime in PaaS.
- B
Physical security of data centers
Why wrong: Physical security is the provider's responsibility.
- C
Data classification and encryption
The customer decides how to classify and encrypt data.
- D
Application code security
The customer develops and secures the application code.
- E
User access and identity management
IAM is a customer responsibility.
Question 323 of 997
CV0-004 Security Practice Question
This CV0-004 practice question tests your understanding of security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is adopting a shared responsibility model for a PaaS cloud deployment. Which THREE responsibilities belong to the customer?
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
✓
Data classification and encryption
Option C is correct because in a PaaS shared responsibility model, the customer is responsible for data classification and encryption of data at rest and in transit. The cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure, but the customer must classify data according to sensitivity and apply encryption mechanisms, such as using TLS 1.2/1.3 for data in transit and AES-256 for data at rest, as the provider cannot access or classify customer data.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Management of the runtime environment
Why it's wrong here
The provider manages the runtime in PaaS.
- ✗
Physical security of data centers
Why it's wrong here
Physical security is the provider's responsibility.
- ✓
Data classification and encryption
Why this is correct
The customer decides how to classify and encrypt data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Application code security
Why this is correct
The customer develops and secures the application code.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
User access and identity management
Why this is correct
IAM is a customer responsibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that the customer manages the runtime environment in PaaS, but the trap here is that PaaS abstracts the runtime, so the provider handles it, while the customer's responsibilities are limited to data, application code, and access control.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the PaaS shared responsibility model, the customer retains control over identity and access management (IAM) using protocols like SAML 2.0 or OAuth 2.0 for federated authentication, and must enforce least-privilege policies via role-based access control (RBAC). A subtle behavior is that while the provider secures the hypervisor and network fabric, the customer must still configure web application firewalls (WAF) and API gateways to protect against OWASP Top 10 threats, as the provider does not inspect application-layer traffic.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CV0-004 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CV0-004 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Data classification and encryption — Option C is correct because in a PaaS shared responsibility model, the customer is responsible for data classification and encryption of data at rest and in transit. The cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure, but the customer must classify data according to sensitivity and apply encryption mechanisms, such as using TLS 1.2/1.3 for data in transit and AES-256 for data at rest, as the provider cannot access or classify customer data.
What should I do if I get this CV0-004 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CV0-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CV0-004 exam.
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