Cybersecurity-Apprentice Cloud Security Practice Question
Under the shared responsibility model in cloud computing, the customer retains responsibility for securing specific layers regardless of whether the service is IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS. Which TWO items are always the customer's responsibility? (Choose 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
✓
Data classification, labeling, and encryption key management
Regardless of the cloud model, customer data and identity/access management are always the responsibility of the customer.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Data classification, labeling, and encryption key management
Why this is correct
Data security and cryptographic key management remain customer responsibilities across all cloud service models.
- ✗
Physical server hardware recycling and disk sanitization
Why it's wrong here
Hardware disposal is handled by the cloud provider.
- ✗
Underlying cloud provider hypervisor and virtualization software patches
Why it's wrong here
Hypervisor management is handled by the cloud provider.
- ✓
User access control, authentication policies, and IAM configurations
Why this is correct
Managing user identities, permissions, and access policies is always the customer's responsibility.
- ✗
Physical data center perimeter security fences and guards
Why it's wrong here
Physical security is always managed by the cloud service provider.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
About these practice questions
One of 177 original Cybersecurity-Apprentice practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Palo Alto Networks exam blueprint
This Cybersecurity-Apprentice practice question is part of Courseiva's free Palo Alto Networks 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 Cybersecurity-Apprentice exam.