CCSP Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design Practice Question
In the NIST SP 800-145 definition of cloud computing, which characteristic is described as the capability to rapidly and elastically provision and release resources, often automatically?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that 'elasticity' and 'scalability' are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but NIST treats rapid elasticity specifically as automatic, bidirectional provisioning and release — candidates who pick 'resource pooling' confuse sharing with scaling.
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
✓
Rapid elasticity
NIST SP 800-145 defines rapid elasticity as the capability to elastically provision and release resources, in some cases automatically, to scale rapidly outward and inward commensurate with demand. The phrase 'rapidly and elastically provision and release resources, often automatically' maps directly to this characteristic. It is one of the five essential characteristics of cloud computing alongside on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, and measured service.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Rapid elasticity
Why this is correct
Rapid elasticity is the NIST SP 800-145 characteristic describing capabilities provisioned and released elastically, often automatically, to scale outward and inward with demand. Measured service, on-demand self-service, and resource pooling describe different aspects of the same definition.
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Resource pooling
Why it's wrong here
Resource pooling describes serving multiple tenants from shared physical infrastructure, not rapid elastic provisioning and release. It tempts because pooled resources are what elasticity draws upon, so scaling appears to depend on pooling even though NIST defines them as separate characteristics.
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Broad network access
Why it's wrong here
Broad network access describes network-accessible capabilities available through standard protocols, not the automated scaling of resource allocation. It is tempting because broad network access enables the remote provisioning that elastic systems rely on, but the stem specifically asks for the characteristic governing the speed and automation of resource release and acquisition—which is rapid elasticity, not network reach. Broad network access would be correct if the question focused on multi-platform accessibility via mobile phones, laptops, or workstations.
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Measured service
Why it's wrong here
Measured service covers metering and pay-per-use billing of consumed resources, not rapid elastic provisioning. It tempts because metering underpins elasticity economically, and autoscaling activity is visible in usage metrics, so the two characteristics are easily conflated.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.