Quick Answer
The answer is configuring security groups and firewall rules, as this falls squarely under customer responsibilities in the cloud shared responsibility model. When using AWS EC2 as an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offering, the provider secures the physical host, network infrastructure, and hypervisor, while the customer retains full control over the guest operating system, applications, and virtual network controls like security groups. This distinction is critical for the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, which tests your ability to map security boundaries in cloud environments—a common trap is assuming the cloud provider handles all network-level access controls. Instead, remember that in IaaS, you manage the “inside” of the virtual machine and its perimeter rules. A useful memory tip: think of the cloud provider as the building landlord (physical walls and wiring), and you as the tenant responsible for locking your doors and setting your own alarm system—security groups are your digital door locks.
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of advanced topics: wireless, cloud, iot, cryptography. 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.
In the cloud shared responsibility model, which of the following is typically the responsibility of the customer when using AWS EC2 (IaaS)?
Configuring security groups and firewall rules
Security groups are a customer-configurable virtual firewall.
Patching the hypervisor
Why wrong: The hypervisor is managed by AWS.
Network infrastructure redundancy
Why wrong: Network redundancy is part of AWS's responsibility.
Physical security of data centers
Why wrong: Physical security is always the provider's responsibility.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configuring security groups and firewall rules
AWS is responsible for the physical host and network infrastructure; the customer manages the guest OS, applications, and security groups.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Configuring security groups and firewall rules
Patching the hypervisor
Why it's wrong here
The hypervisor is managed by AWS.
Network infrastructure redundancy
Why it's wrong here
Network redundancy is part of AWS's responsibility.
Physical security of data centers
Why it's wrong here
Physical security is always the provider's responsibility.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CEH NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — This question tests Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Configuring security groups and firewall rules — AWS is responsible for the physical host and network infrastructure; the customer manages the guest OS, applications, and security groups.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CEH NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH exam.
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