CCSP Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design Practice Question
In a public cloud IaaS model, which of the following security controls is the cloud customer primarily responsible for implementing?
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
✓
Guest OS patch management
The customer is responsible for securing the guest OS and applications.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hypervisor security
Why it's wrong here
In public cloud IaaS, the provider secures the hypervisor because it controls the virtualisation layer beneath the guest; the customer secures guest operating systems, applications and data. It is tempting because customers can harden virtual machines, but hypervisor patching sits with the provider under the shared responsibility model.
- ✗
Network infrastructure security
Why it's wrong here
The CSP secures the physical network fabric, hypervisor virtual switching and underlying routing; the customer controls only virtual network constructs such as security groups, subnets and ACLs within their tenancy. It tempts because customers do configure virtual firewalls and segmentation, but that is virtual network security, not the physical infrastructure itself.
- ✗
Physical security of data centers
Why it's wrong here
Physical data centre security remains the CSP's responsibility in every cloud service model, including IaaS, since customers never access or control those facilities. It tempts because customers retain broad responsibility for guest OS, applications and data in IaaS, but the provider always owns the physical layer.
- ✓
Guest OS patch management
Why this is correct
In IaaS the provider secures the physical hosts, hypervisor and network fabric, while the customer controls everything above, including the guest operating system. Patching the guest OS therefore falls to the customer, satisfying the stem's question of primary customer responsibility.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.