- A
Patch the guest operating system running on the cloud virtual machine.
In IaaS, the customer typically manages the guest operating system, including security updates and configuration. Unpatched operating systems remain a common path to compromise.
- B
Replace failed power supplies in the cloud provider's data center.
Why wrong: Physical hardware maintenance belongs to the cloud provider. Customers do not normally manage data center power or hardware replacement in IaaS.
- C
Configure the application's user permissions and access settings.
Identity and access configuration for the workload remains the customer's responsibility. Correct permissions are important because cloud security does not stop misconfigured application access.
- D
Maintain the cloud provider's hypervisor firmware.
Why wrong: The provider manages the host hardware and hypervisor layer in IaaS. Customers do not patch or maintain the virtualization platform directly.
- E
Manage the physical firewall blades inside the provider's facility.
Why wrong: Provider-owned infrastructure components are outside the customer's operational control. The customer may configure cloud security rules, but not the provider's physical devices.
Quick Answer
The answer is the customer is responsible for OS patching and configuring the application’s user permissions. In an IaaS model, the cloud provider manages only the physical host, network, and hypervisor, while the customer retains full control over the guest operating system and all software layers above it. This means the customer must handle OS security patches, updates, and application-level access settings, as the provider has no visibility or access into the virtual machine. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish customer duties from provider duties. A common trap is assuming the provider handles OS patching in IaaS, but that only applies in PaaS or SaaS. Remember the mnemonic “IaaS = I Apply the Security” to recall that the customer patches the OS and manages user permissions.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 team is moving a workload to infrastructure as a service (IaaS). Which two items are usually the customer's responsibility? Select two.
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
Patch the guest operating system running on the cloud virtual machine.
In an IaaS model, the customer is responsible for managing the guest operating system, including applying security patches and updates. This is because the cloud provider only manages the underlying physical infrastructure and hypervisor, while the customer controls the OS and applications running on the virtual machine.
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.
- ✓
Patch the guest operating system running on the cloud virtual machine.
Why this is correct
In IaaS, the customer typically manages the guest operating system, including security updates and configuration. Unpatched operating systems remain a common path to compromise.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Replace failed power supplies in the cloud provider's data center.
Why it's wrong here
Physical hardware maintenance belongs to the cloud provider. Customers do not normally manage data center power or hardware replacement in IaaS.
- ✓
Configure the application's user permissions and access settings.
Why this is correct
Identity and access configuration for the workload remains the customer's responsibility. Correct permissions are important because cloud security does not stop misconfigured application access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Maintain the cloud provider's hypervisor firmware.
Why it's wrong here
The provider manages the host hardware and hypervisor layer in IaaS. Customers do not patch or maintain the virtualization platform directly.
- ✗
Manage the physical firewall blades inside the provider's facility.
Why it's wrong here
Provider-owned infrastructure components are outside the customer's operational control. The customer may configure cloud security rules, but not the provider's physical devices.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse IaaS with PaaS or SaaS, mistakenly thinking the provider handles all OS-level patching, but in IaaS, the customer retains full control and responsibility for the guest OS and application configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the shared responsibility model for IaaS, the customer is responsible for securing and patching the guest OS, applications, and data, while the provider handles the physical host, network, and storage infrastructure. For example, if a vulnerability like CVE-2023-44487 affects the Linux kernel on the guest VM, the customer must apply the patch; the provider will not do it. This distinction is critical for compliance frameworks like PCI DSS, where the customer must demonstrate OS-level patch management.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Patch the guest operating system running on the cloud virtual machine. — In an IaaS model, the customer is responsible for managing the guest operating system, including applying security patches and updates. This is because the cloud provider only manages the underlying physical infrastructure and hypervisor, while the customer controls the OS and applications running on the virtual machine.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 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: Jun 11, 2026
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